Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management最新文献

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains on the quality of whole-plant corn (Zea mays L.) silage. Three LAB strains were selected from previous studies: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), Levilactobacillus brevis (LB), and Lentilactobacillus buchneri ssp. silagei (LS), along with their mixture (MX). Whole-plant corn was harvested, cut into 1- to 2-cm pieces, and ensiled either directly (control [CTRL]) or after treatment with LAB inoculants. LAB were applied at a final dose of 1 × 10⁶ colony-forming units g⁻¹. Vacuum pouches were fermented for 3, 7, and 90 days, and the quality, microbial populations, and aerobic stability of the silage were measured. The interaction between inoculation and storage time significantly affected dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), lactic acid (LA), acetic acid, and propionic acid concentrations. MX reduced the DM loss and lowered neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber at 90 days but had no effect on crude protein and EE content. At 90 days, inoculation with MX decreased pH (0.21) and NH₃-N (1.27) of silage with respect to CTRL (P < .05). Both MX and LB increased the content of water-soluble carbohydrates and LA (P < .05). Inoculation improved aerobic stability and increased the count of LAB (P < .05) while reducing the count of yeast, aerobic bacteria, and mold. Comprehensive evaluation revealed that inoculation with MX had the most favorable effect on the nutritional and fermentation quality of corn silage, reducing the growth of harmful microorganisms and delaying aerobic spoilage.

A significant loss of seed quality may occur for planting under traditional on-farm chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seed storage techniques. We evaluated six alternative seed storage techniques over a 6-month period: (a) polypropylene bags (PPBs; traditionally used for on-farm seed storage), as the control; (b) filter cake (FC)–blended seed stored in PPBs (PPB+FC); (c) plastic drums (PDs); (d) FC-blended seed stored in PDs (PD+FC); (e) Super Grain Pro bags; and (f) Purdue Improved Crop Storage bags. The evaluation was conducted under ambient laboratory conditions at the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute and the Bishoftu Agricultural Research Center. Storage conditions, seed moisture content (SMC), seed germination (SG), seedling length, seedling dry weight, and seed vigor index I were measured every 2 months for 6 months. The results showed that the SMC of seed stored using alternative methods varied from 9.3% to 11.3%, whereas those in PPB had SMC ranging from 12.3% to 12.7% after 6 months of storage at the two locations. High SG was maintained by alternative storage techniques, ranging from 90.0% to 92.7% over 6 months at both locations. However, seed stored in the PPB for 6 months at the BARC had the lowest SG (78.7%). Hermetic bags maintained chickpea seed vigor throughout the storage period at both locations. In contrast, the non-hermetic storage technique resulted in a significant decline in seedling vigor over 6 months at both locations. This study found that hermetic seed storage technologies can preserve seed quality for 6 months, regardless of the storage location. Therefore, this study affirmed the need to promote effective alternative seed storage technologies to enhance chickpea productivity and farmers’ livelihoods.

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] variety selection is a crucial decision that impacts farm profitability. Effective variety selection requires performance evaluation across diverse environments to determine whether differences are due to genetic or nongenetic factors. Producers should use different types of multiple-location variety trials to select high-yielding varieties with resistance or tolerance to biotic and abiotic stressors prevalent in their region. In addition, information on other traits (e.g., plant height, lodging, green stem) that can be obtained should be considered when selecting a variety. Two different types of variety trials that are normally conducted by university extension programs and seed companies consist of replicated small-plot trials and on-farm large strip-plot demonstrations. The data from these trials are normally published in printed publications, downloadable online data sheets (e.g., PDFs, spreadsheets), and user-friendly online selection tools. The objectives of this management guide are to (a) describe replicated small-plot trials and unreplicated on-farm large strip-plot demonstrations, including attributes of each type; (b) demonstrate a data-driven approach to selecting high-yielding varieties with resistance to biotic and abiotic stressors; and (c) discuss additional agronomic and seed quality traits that aid in understanding the differences in varieties. Data and interpretation from multiple-location official variety trials and on-farm strip-plot demonstrations from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center were used to demonstrate results commonly available from university extension programs. Evaluating yield and stress resistance data across multiple locations and years, including both replicated small-plot trials and on-farm strip-plot demonstrations, provides the most reliable basis for selecting varieties adapted to diverse and unpredictable environmental conditions.

Native warm-season grasses (NWSG) adoption is limited partly due to establishment challenges, especially weed competition. The objective was to develop establishment protocols for switchgrass [Panicum virgatum (L.) ‘Vitman’; SG], eastern gamagrass [Tripsacum dactyloides (L.); EG] and a mix of Indiangrass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) ‘Nash’; IG] and big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii ‘Vitman’; BB) under organic and conventional herbicide management across three sites in Ohio from 2021 to 2024. Three strategies were evaluated: (a) Conventional, no-till with herbicide; (b) Conventional + cereal rye cover crop (CC); and (c) Organic, with tillage and summer (sorghum –sudangrass [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench ssp. drummondii (Nees ex Steud.) de Wet & Harlan} + cowpea [Vigna Savi]) and fall (oats [Avena L.]) cover crops. Organic treatments used no herbicide and Conventional treatments used glyphosate (SG, EG) or imazapic (IG/BB), with some sites receiving 2,4-D (2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid). Results demonstrate that in Conventional treatments, with and without cover crops, NWSG growth suppressed weeds and forage mass was stabilized by Years 2 and 3. The Organic system consistently had the lowest forage and the greatest weed mass. For most locations/years, the greater NWSG mass and cover and lowest weed mass and cover occurred in the IG/BG mix compared with SG and EG, probably due to the selective herbicide use reducing weed pressure and promoting faster forage growth. Forage nutritive value was greater in the IG/BG mix. However, all NWSG species had moderate to good nutritive value, according to USDA hay standards, which do not specify animal category. In conclusion, successful NWSG establishment required chemical weed control, and adding cover crops with herbicide was less effective than herbicide alone.

A better understanding of seasonal and diurnal variation in forage nutritive value may help to maximize protein intake and digestibility for grazing livestock. Forage nutritive value was evaluated in four cool-season grasses common to Kentucky pastures: orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.; OG), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. ssp. perenne; PRG), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.; KBG), and tall fescue [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.; TF]. In 2015 and 2017, 10 cool-season grass cultivars representing four species, planted in quadruplicate (40 plots) in central Kentucky, were maintained vegetatively with 2–4 week mowing and sampled in the morning and the afternoon at the same times every 2–4 weeks, from May to November. Near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict dry matter (DM) and in vitro true dry matter digestibility (IVTDMD), as well as concentrations of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and crude protein (CP). On most harvest dates, ADF and NDF were higher in the morning than in the afternoon, and highest in KBG and TF species. Concentrations of CP did not have a consistent diurnal pattern across harvest dates. On most harvest dates, IVTDMD increased in the afternoon and was highest in PRG. The results could inform grazing management for weight gain in beef cattle or weight loss in overweight horses.

Crop-livestock systems may improve land use and food security; however, heavy grazing can impair the soil physical properties and reduce the forage accumulation of subsequent crops. The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of mechanically harvest or low-intensity grazing on the physical properties of soil and the productivity of an annual pasture, ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.), and its successive crop, maize (Zea mays L.). Pasture and maize were evaluated from 2017 to 2021 and 2021 to 2022, respectively. The ryegrass was either mechanically harvested for silage production or grazed when the pre-defoliation sward height was between 20 and 25 cm. The total forage accumulation increased (P < 0.08) by approximately 500 kg ha⁻¹ and forage accumulation rate were 25% greater (P < 0.01) in grazed pastures than in non-grazed pastures. Different pasture defoliation methods did not affect the physical properties of the soil. The total organic carbon concentration tended to be greater (P = 0.058) in the grazed area than in the non-grazed area, and the maize forage accumulation (average = 14,611 kg ha⁻¹) and chemical composition were similar for plants from the previously grazed and non-grazed areas. Four consecutive years of grazing did not impair the physical quality of the soil and DM production in either the pasture or maize silage. Thus, moderate grazing can be sustainably implemented over multiple years without degrading soil structure or reducing the productivity of forage and subsequent crops.

Zoysiagrass (Zoysia spp. Willd.) produces a high-quality warm-season turfgrass sward and requires fewer management inputs compared with many other warm-season turfgrass species. Three primary species, all known by the common name “zoysiagrass,” are used in the United States, and these include Z. japonica, Z. matrella, and Z. pacifica. These three zoysiagrasses are distinguished from one another based on stress tolerance differences, visual characteristics, and their geographic distribution. Together, all of these factors influence the breeding, production, and distribution of zoysiagrass sod in the US production, and distribution of each species is typically transitional, warm-humid, and warm-arid climatic zones (Z. japonica); warm-humid, and warm-arid climatic zones (Z. matrella); and warm-tropical climate zones (Z. pacifica). This review summarizes the knowledge of the current zoysiagrass sod market and research related to the establishment, management, weed control, and harvest and transplanting of zoysiagrass sod and identifies the knowledge gaps and future research needs. Compared with bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Rich.), zoysiagrass research is lacking, especially related to sod production. Future research on zoysiagrass should focus on establishment, post-planting management, quantifying management inputs, and practices to hasten sod production times, and improve transplant success. Additionally, more research is needed on weed control during establishment and production. Because of its wide adaptation and genetic diversity, research should be conducted in multiple climates across a diversity of cultivars to aid sod producers and end-users.

Nickel (Ni) is an essential element in nitrogen (N) metabolism. This study evaluated the effects of foliar fertilization with Ni on the grain yield (GY), yield components, N content, grain protein, and oil content of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr]. Two field experiments, each testing a different soybean cultivar, ‘BRS 284’ and ‘BRS 399RR’, were performed during the 2019–2020 and 2020–2021 growing seasons, in Londrina, Brazil. The experimental design was randomized blocks with three treatments (0, 60, and 120 g Ni ha⁻¹, using nickel chloride) and eight replications. Foliar application of Ni was performed by applying half of the rate at flowering and half during grain filling. The results showed that application of 60 and 120 g Ni increased the GY by 4.0% and 6.4% compared to the control in BRS 399RR in the first season. For BRS 284, no significant differences were observed in either season. N concentration in leaves improved by 7.1% and 7.8%, in the first and 18.5% and 14.0% in the second season under 60 and 120 g Ni rates, respectively, compared to control in BRS 284. For BRS 399RR, the leaf content of N increased 16.5% and 14.5% for both Ni rates compared to the control only in the first season. However, only in the second season, spraying 60 and 120 g Ni increased the N concentration in the grains by 7.9% and 22.4% for BRS 284 compared to the control. The effects of foliar Ni spray vary among soybean cultivars and dry periods, which influence N supply, use efficiency, and GY.

Gelaye, Y., & Mengistu, A. (2025). Farmyard manure and nitrogen‒phosphorus‒sulfur fertilizers improved the yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) yield: A review article. Crop, Forage & Turfgrass Management, 11(2), e70064. https://doi.org/10.1002/cft2.70064

Due to a miscommunication during production, the title, “Farmyard manure and nitrogen‒phosphorus‒sulfur fertilizers improved the yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) yield: A review article” was incorrect. The correct title, “Farmyard manure and nitrogen‒phosphorus‒sulfur fertilizers improve the yield of onion (Allium cepa L.) crop: A review article” has been updated in the published version.

Additionally, the following reference:

Abebe, A., & Tana, P. (2021). Effect of combined application of vermicompost and inorganic NPS fertilizers on yield related traits, yield and shelf life of shallot [Allium cepa var. Ascalonicum Backer] at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia. Haramaya University.

Has been revised as follows:

Abebe, A., & Tana, P. (2021). Effect of combined application of vermicompost and inorganic NPS fertilizers on yield related traits, yield and shelf life of shallot [Allium cepa var. Ascalonicum Backer] at Haramaya, Eastern Ethiopia [Master's thesis, Haramaya University]. http://ir.haramaya.edu.et/hru/handle/123456789/4019?show=full

We apologize for these errors.