Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Methane Production By Steers On Pasture, W P. Mccaughey, K Wittenberg, D Corrigan

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Grazing system, stocking rate and monensin controlled release capsule (CRC) administration were investigated to determine impacts on methane (CH4) production by steers grazing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)/meadow bromegrass (Bromus biebersteinii Roem & Schult.)/Russian wildrye (Psathyrostachys juncea (Fisch.) Nevski) pastures. Pasture treatments consisted of 2 replications each of two grazing systems (continuous stocking or 10-paddock rotational stocking) at each of two stocking rates (low, 1.1 steer ha-1 or high, 2.2 steers ha-1). Half of the animals in each pasture were administered a monensin CRC while untreated animals served as controls. During the grazing season, 1 steer per treatment …

How Will Plant Diseases Impact On Pasture Production Under Climate Change: A Case Study Of Stylosanthes Anthracnose, Sukumar Chakraborty

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Impact of climate change on plant diseases is poorly understood due to the paucity of studies in this area. A process-based approach to quantify the impact on pathogen/disease cycle is potentially the most useful in defining impact of factors like elevated CO2 on plant diseases. This study establishes the influence of twice-ambient CO2 on components of the anthracnose disease cycle caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in the tropical pasture legume Stylosanthes scabra. Compared to ambient CO2, at 700 ppm, time between inoculation and symptom appearance (incubation period) and percentage leaf area diseased were significantly reduced in the two cultivars Fitzroy and …

Carbon Sequestration By Grassland And Woodland Soils Of Different Climate Zones As Revealed By (Thin) Layer Wise Carbon-14 Dating, H W. Scharpenseeland, P Becker-Heidmann

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Estimates are, that grassland sequesters on ca 3.2 bil ha about 50 Pg C in the biomass, 300-350 Pg C in SOM (soil organic matter).,woodland analog on some 4.2 bil ha 360 Pg in the biomass ,785 Pg in the SOM. The SOM-C in grassland is comparable in quantity of C.m-2 with C in tropical rain forests´ living biomass (Whittaker & Likens,1973). C14-dating of soils reveals a tendency of higher C-residence time in grassland and former grasslandcropland soils, compared with adjacent woodland soils of about same climate and geomorphology. In (sub)tropical soils C-residence time proved higher in upland soils than …

Effects Of Climate Change On Grassland Production In Switzerland, J Fuhrer, M Riedo

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A mechanistic model for productive grassland was used to simulate annual dry matter yield in relation to fluxes of C, N, and water, and to test the sensitivity to climate change and to elevated [CO2] (2xCO2). Local weather scenarios were derived from the results of two General Circulation Models (GCM) by statistical down-scaling. Annual yield increased by a maximum of 10% without 2xCO2 effects, by 1-16% in response to 2xCO2, and by 6-24% with the combination of climate change and 2xCO2. Decreased evapotranspiration and increased water use efficiency in response to 2xCO2 were partially offset by climate change. The simulations …

Silage Production Possibility Of Sorghum Vulgare, S. Sudanense And Their Hybrid On The Second Crop Conditions Of Tokat-Turkey, U Büyükburç, Y Karadag, M Yildirim

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objective of the work was to determine biological characters of some fodder grasses (Sorghum, Sudangrass and their hybrid) under second crop condition of Tokat-Turkey with different N levels. The grasses were sown on 20-21 July 1994-1995 after harvesting the main crop of wheat, harvested at the end of October 28-29. Application of 40 - 80 - 120 kg/ha N fertilizer increased the plant height, fresh fodder, DM yield, CP contents in all plants. The hybrid showed the highest fresh and dry fodder yield (100.7 - 23.4 Mg/ha) at the high level of N. Leaf rate declined with use of …

Pfra Community Pastures- The Canadian Communal Grazing Experience And Multiple Values Of Public Grasslands, H R. Cook

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Community Pastures origins are rooted in a climate catastrophe response that assembled initial areas of overgrazed native range and severely eroded cereal cropland in the Palliser Triangle into community pastures as a public conservation mechanism. Today this conservation system has grown to encompass 929,000 hectares in total that serve a multiple set of area objectives with important social, economic and ecological benefits. Management of these pastures has expanded considerably, necessitating close cooperation between local livestock producers, government agency staff and other users of the resource. Over the last half century a unique communal grazing …

Improving The Ruminal Degradation Of Low-Quality Tropical Grasses, J C. Ku-Vera

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Rumen cannulated cattle and sheep were used to study the effect of supplementation with several nitrogen sources on rumen digestion of tropical grasses. Supplementation of cattle grazing guinea grass (Panicum maximum) with dehydrated poultry excreta had no effect on rumen DM disappearance of the grass consumed. On the other hand, supplementation with fish meal increased rumen digestion of DM of pangola (Digitaria decumbens) and buffel (Cenchrus ciliaris) grass above that found when soyabean meal was given. DM intake was significantly increased when fish meal was given in relation to that found when soyabean meal was supplied. Supplementing sheep with the …

Degradability And Fermentescibility According To Fiber Content In Low Quality Forages, A Dieng, A Buldgen, Ph Lecomte, K G. Toussaint

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The nylon bag technique and the gas-test method were compared with 6 different roughages representing a wide range of fiber contents in samples collected in the Senegalese Groundnut Basin. The results showed high correlation coefficients and low residual standard errors between the chemical composition of the roughages (mainly the acid detergent fiber fraction) and their degradability or fermentescibility. Reliable relationships between the two methods were also identified.

The Effects Of Two Levels Of Concentrates Supplying The Same Amount Of Protein On Silage Intake And Milk Production In Cows Given Two Grass Silages, H Khalili, P Huhtanen, K Rinne, M Suvitie

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objective of this trial was to investigate the effects of two levels of concentrate (5 and 10 kg) supplying the same amount of protein on feed intake, milk production and rumen fermentation in cows given two different grass silages. The silages were ensiled either with a formic acid based additive (F) or with a mixture of acids and lignosulphonates (L). Fermentation quality and digestibility were better in F silage than in L silage. There were no significant differences between the silages in feed intake, milk yield and milk composition. Feeding F silage increased rumen ammonia concentration and molar proportion …

A Comparison Of Preservation Methods Of Roughages From Grassland In Poland, J Zastawny, B Paluch, H Jankowski-Huglejt

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objective of this study was to determine whether the preservation method has an influence on the nutritive value of roughages obtained from grasslands. The silage made in clamps and in big cylindrical bales were compared. During chemical studies, dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, crude ash, nitrogen free extracts and fat level were determined. The digestible energy of each feed was calculated. The content of particular acids (lactic, acetic and butyric) in the mass of silage was determined. The silages were tested by feeding to ruminants. The obtained results show that the quality of both silages was good. The …

Nutritive Value Of Guineagrass Cultivars In The Winter As Influenced By Nitrogen Fertilization, N.F G. Rethman, W.A J. Steenekamp

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The monitoring of yield, structure and nutritive value of four Panicum maximum (Guineagrass) cultivars, utilized as standing hay in the winter, yielded valuable data on the relative importance of nitrogen fertilization and cultivar. While nitrogen had a strong influence on yield and crude protein content it was the differences between cultivars, with respect to soil adaptation and structure, which played a dominant role. It is recommended that future research place particular emphasis on the adaptation of cultivars and genotype differences in structure.

Pipeline Reclamation Using Native Species, C Nykoluk

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

One of the oil and gas industry's challenges is to reclaim disturbed native rangeland with native species. In fall 1992, TransGas (a subsidiary of SaskEnergy) constructed a natural gas transmission line across the Coalfields Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration (PFRA) Community Pasture. This necessitated a 10 kilometre long - 18 metre wide right of way. The right of way was successfully reclaimed using a variety of reclamation techniques with the use of a native grass cultivar seed mix that approximated the vegetation composition of the pasture. This poster provides an example of how agencies with different goals can work together at …

Rehabilitation Of Mining Sites Using Diazotrophic Bacteria And Gramineous Associations, S Mercky, R Pineau, E Navarro, J M. Sarrailh

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Degradation of mining sites resulting from deep and irreversible human action is a serious environmental problem. So, to rehabilitate mining sites, we studied the ability of diazotrophic bacteria to improve plant growth. Firstly, we isolated diazotrophic bacteria on Cyperaceae and Poaceae rhizosphere. After characterisation and partial identification of found bacteria, we decided to study the effect of presence and the activity of bacteria on plant growth. To compare with reference bacteria (Azospirillum brasilense), we had to test the effect of endemic bacteria on soil without limiting factors (Maré’s soil). We think that if bacteria are able to help plants to …

North American Grass Species In Reclamation Of Coal-Mining Areas In Poland, W Majtkowski

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Suitability of perennial grass species as a main decorative element was evaluated during reclamation of a coal-dump in Bierun near Katowice. Materials for the above testing were species selected from grass collection of Botanical Garden of PBAI in Bydgoszcz. The most promising species were: Carex grayi (sedge), Andropogon gerardi, A. scoparius and Spartina michauxiana (grasses from North America flora), Elymus racemosus, Koeleria cristata, Melica altissima, Miscanthus sacchariflorus (European or Asian origin). Addition of bio-gel positively affected plant development, while no significant differences were observed between different levels of fertilizers.

X-Ray Stereoscopic Radiographs Of Macropore Structures Formed By The Roots In Grassland Soils, K Sato, T Moroizumi

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objective of this study was to examine the morphology of macropores with respect to drainage and water-retention in the root zones under grassland soils. Soil samples were taken in Japan, the U.K. and China. The structures of macropores were studied threedimensionally by examining the macropore morphology using Xrays and contrast media. The pore morphology studied in grassland soils indicate that the shapes of most macropores in drainage and water-retention pores were formed by roots. The pores formed by grass roots were found to play an important part in the macropore forms found in grassland soils.

Chromolaena Odorata: A Multipurpose Shrub, S O. Apori

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Chromolaena odorata plant has been classified as a weed. A survey in farming communities in Ghana indicated that the plant is used to reduce fallowing period; improve soil fertility, as medicinal plant; as insect and rodent repellent for temporal storage of maize; and preservation of corpse for about 48 hours in rural Ghana. Studies on foliage of Chromolaena odorata regrowth at 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks showed that the leaves had crude protein content above 19%, average leaf to stem ratio of 2.1:1, and stem to leaf protein concentration ratio of 0.49. In-sacco degradability rate of dry matter, …

Effects Of Forage Cover On Run-Off And Soil Losses In Different Productive Systems In Central Italy, A Pardini, G Argenti, G Pazzi, S Piemontese, P Talamucci

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A trial has been carried out for four years, in a hilly area of Central Italy, on five covers concerning three different productive systems: traditional system based on the rotation of Medicago sativa and barley; low input system based on permanent association of grasses and legumes; annual self-reseeding legumes used as cover crop in vineyard. The pasture had the higher run-off but also the lower soil erosion thanks to the high number of plants per square metre which were able to hold the soil particles. The inherbment of the vineyard prevented greater soil erosion commonly known in cultivated grooves.

Grassland Development By Erosion Control On Hill Slope Using Multi Function Filter And Vegetation, M S. Alam, K Hosoyamada

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Soil erosion by water is a major soil degradation process in the world and constrains of land development for cultivation. Japan is a mountain based country with a large number of volcanos and most of the soils are highly erodible volcanic ash soil. Therefore, soils will erode when rainfall is sufficient. Since 1992 an intensive programme has been undertaken to develop grassland or cropland by controlling soil erosion on hill slopes. Multi function filter (MFF) have been used along with the application of different rooty summer and winter grass seeds to protect surface soil and rapid germination of deep vegetation …

The Use Of Legumes For Improvement Of Fallow Land In Small Holder Farming Systems, P C. Kerridge, L H. Franco

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Two legumes, centro (Centrosema macrocarpum) and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan), were evaluated for their ability to improve the productivity of fallow land as assessed by a following maize crop. Maize yields were increased after 12 or 18 months of managed legume fallow. Adoption of legumes for improvement of fallow land will depend on ease of establishment and alternative uses for the legume or whether they regenerate naturally.

Bio-Diversity Conservation And Natural Resource Regeneration Through Watershed Development At Jhansi, C R. Hazra

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Seven microwatersheds with an area of 5395 ha located at Kharaiya Nala Watershed (Jhansi) were fully treated with appropriate soil and water conservation measures. Barren village common lands consisting of 665 ha on ridges were fully rehabilitated through silvipasture. Treatment on watershed basis had a great impact in containing soil and run off water losses and improving agriculture and animal production. Development of common lands through soil and water conservation helped with faster ecological succession of grasses and regeneration of rootstocks resulted in bio-diversity conservation. Increased land and biomass productivity reflected on the socio-economic gains of the farmers including landless …

Effect Of Defoliation Intensity On The Absolute And Relative Growth Rates Of 'Grasslands Puna' Chicory, G D. Li, P D. Kemp, J Hodgson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The response of absolute and relative growth of 'Grasslands Puna' chicory (Cichorium intybus L.) to defoliation intensity was examined in a glasshouse. Five defoliation intensities (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200 mm above media level), at 3 week intervals with 4 replications were arranged in a completely randomised design. The aboveground relative growth rate of Puna chicory increased exponentially as defoliation intensity increased, resulting in defoliation intensity not decreasing average absolute growth rate until weeks 9-12. However, there were significant differences in belowground mass between defoliation intensities from week 6 onwards. Defoliation above 150 mm, with 3 week intervals, is …

Salinity Responses In Some Forage Legume Species, M E. Rogers

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The salt tolerances of more than 70 lines and species of forage legumes were evaluated in a series of greenhouse experiments, with the aim of identifying plant material that is more salt tolerant than some of the more traditionally-grown, temperate, forage legume species. Several species or lines showed potential as salt tolerant germplasm including sweet clover (Melilotus albus), berseem clover (T. alexandrinum) cvv. Mescani and Wardan, woolly clover (T. tomentosum), birdsfoot treefoil (L. Corniculatus), slender birdsfoot treefoil (Lotus tenuis) and Trifolium squamosum. However, further selection and field evaluation is required in order to …

Black Locust Effects On Forage Yield And Nutritive Quality Produced On Reclaimed Mined Land, D C. Ditsch, M Collins, J H. Grove

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) is a rapidly growing, leguminous tree species often used to stabilize disturbed sites. The objectives of this study were to measure the effect of black locust populations on understory forage production and livestock nutritive quality on reclaimed surface mined land. In two out of three years, forage dry matter yields harvested under a population of 1368 trees ha-1 were not different than the clear cut treatment (all trees removed). Forage dry matter production was significantly reduced at populations of 2736 and 4145 trees ha-1 due to slow and limited regrowth following harvest. Forage nutritive …

New Approaches For Rehabilitating And Developing Fodder Production From Acid Mountain Soils In Nepal To Alleviate Poverty And Restore The Environment, D Pariyar, P Van Der Grinten

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The approach for the re-integration of degraded areas in the farming system demands methods that are simple, affordable and sustainable. Under the Hills Leasehold Forestry and Forage Development Project (HLFFDP) technologies were trialed for the establishment of pasture legume and nitrogen fixing trees on degraded leased sites. Agrisilvipastoralism (ASP) applied using minimum or zero tillage has considerable untapped potential for simultaneously alleviating poverty and restoring the environment in Nepal. Preliminary results presented here indicate that with the introduction of suitable improved forage species under the application of simple establishment techniques, degraded lands have the potential to produce considerable amounts of …

Cultivar And Seed Stratification Effects On Switchgrass Establishment On Coal Mine Spoil, M Collins, T P. Demond, D C. Ditsch, T D. Phillips

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Warm season perennial grasses such as switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) provide useful wildlife habitat on reclaimed surface mined land but stand establishment is often slow. Two switchgrass cultivars: (1) ‘Alamo’ and (2) ‘Cave-in-rock’, two seed stratification treatments: (1) wet chilled and (2) untreated, and three establishment treatments: (1) no mulch or companion crop, (2) seeded with oat (Avena sativa L.), or (3) mulched with wheat straw were compared in a factorial experiment. In Sept. after spring seeding, stand density ranged from 2.5 seedlings m-1 of drill row for Alamo control plots to 6.8 for CIR with oat. Stand densities …

Coquia: An Operation For Forage Production, Manual Anaya-Garduno

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

The objective of this study was to show the potential of Coquia (Kochia scoparia L. Schrad var. esmeralda) as a good ooption for forage production in arid and semiarid zones of Mexico. This plant is drought resistant and it grows well in eroded soils. It can be a good complement in the ration of different animal species (bovines, ovines, caprines, rabbits and equines).

Spring Grazing To Manipulate The Composition Of A Re-Created Species Rich Grassland Habitat, R Chapman, A Younger

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Botanical diversity in species rich grasslands re-created on restored opencast coal sites may be threatened by aggressive growth from the legume component. A previous study indicated that this aggressive legume growth may be suppressed by spring grazing with sheep. A detailed study was conducted to determine the effect of spring grazing on the two most abundant legumes within the community; white clover (Trifolium repens) and lesser trefoil (Trifolium dubium). The results obtained suggested that the control of legumes was apparently mediated principally through the suppression of white clover, with lesser trefoil growth actually being increased by …

Role Of Pasturage Grass Roots For Soil Conservation- Soil Particle Holding Function With Pasturage Grass Roots, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Toshihiro Sugiura

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

With the latest advance of large-scale grassland establishment, grassland agriculture requires not only a high productivity of good quality forages for livestock but also effective of soil conservation. We must obviously study the physical effects of pasture cropping on the grassland soils. In this paper, we deal with the soil holding function of pasturage grass-roots as a part of studies on roots and grassland soil.

The results obtained are as follows : 1) Soil compact strength of perennial roots shows a high value. For example, in perennial roots of Tall fescue (F.arundenacea), its value is 70kg or more per one …

Rehabilitating Sandy Acid Soils In The Sahelo-Sudanese Region With Andropogon Gayanus Kunth Var. Bisquamulatus, A Drought Resistant Savannah Grass, A Buldgen, A Dieng

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

Root growth of Guinea grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth var. Bisquamulatus) and the effects of the crop on soil fertility were studied in Senegal (field conditions). The physiological behaviour of the graminae was also monitored during a drying cycle in a controlled environment (Belgium). The growth of the root system was remarkable during the rainy season. Root turn-over greatly improves soil organic matter content after two years of cultivation. During the drying cycle, the plant performed an osmotic adjustment through K+ ions and sugar accumulation in the cell sap.

Management Of Acidifying Legume Based Pastures For Sustainable Production In Southern Australia, A M. Ridley, R E. White, R J. Simpson

IGC Proceedings (1993-2023)

A field experiment was used to determine nitrate leaching losses under perennial (Phalaris aquatica and Dactylis glomerata) and annual (Lolium rigidum) grass pastures under control and high N treatments. Previously published results and assumptions were made to extrapolate results to typical grazed pastures, and best bet practices to manage soil acidification were suggested. Nitrate leaching losses of approximately 14 and 28 kg N/ha/year were estimated for grazed perennial and annual pastures (equating to soil acid addition of 1 and 2 kmol H+/ha/year). Other sources of acid addition known to occur in this environment accounted for a …