Crop, Forage and Turfgrass Management最新文献

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.

Hurricane Helene reached Florida's coast on September 26, 2024, resulting in strong winds and heavy rainfall over a 4-day period throughout the eastern United States. The objective of this report is to document the prevalence of damage to soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production after Hurricane Helene. Hurricane damage to soybean plants was variable depending on prior weather conditions and crop stage. Reported damage included: lodging (plants leaning or falling over), green stem (stems remain green while plant is physiologically mature), pod shatter (opening prior to harvest), sprouting (seeds germinating), and seed damage (cracked, shriveled, and discolored). Although extreme weather events are unavoidable, timely harvest is extremely important to help reduce damage. While soybean plants may exhibit green stem or other conditions undesirable for harvest, delaying harvest after seeds reach 13% moisture leave them vulnerable to damage from excessive rainfall events, such as Hurricane Helene.

The use of a cereal rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crop (RCC) before corn (Zea mays L.) can reduce erosion, limit herbicide dependence, and improve groundwater quality. However, adoption is limited due to planting challenges such as residue interference, uneven emergence, and yield reductions. Farmers often use aftermarket planter attachments to enhance emergence uniformity and yield, but their effectiveness in RCC systems remains unclear. Field trials in Indiana (2022–2023) evaluated the effect of three aftermarket closing wheels—standard rubber (SR), cruiser extreme (CE), and cupped razor (MCR)—on corn emergence and yield in RCC and no-RCC systems. In no-till conditions without RCC, differing closing wheels had no significant effect on emergence timing or final stand. However, in RCC treatments, CE increased total corn emergence (7–12 days after planting) by 6%–15% at two of three site-years, while MCR improved emergence by 8% at one site-year. Yield gains of 5–8 bu acre⁻¹ were observed with CE in RCC systems at two site-years, and MCR increased yield by 7 bu acre⁻¹ at one site-year. Results indicate that aftermarket closing wheels, particularly CE and MCR, can enhance emergence and yield in RCC systems, providing a practical solution for farmers facing planting challenges in high-residue environments

Southeast Asia faces a significant and growing ruminant feed deficit, constraining the development of sustainable livestock systems amidst rising demand for animal-sourced foods. This article analyzes the scale of the deficit and the role improved cultivated forage systems can play in closing it across five countries: Vietnam, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Laos, and Thailand. The analysis estimates that closing the feed gap over a period of 10 years will require the establishment of more than 314,000 ha of cultivated forage and the participation of over 400,000 adopting farmers. This highlights the untapped potential of forage seed systems, with a projected regional seed market value of up to $163 million over 10 years, alongside $1.6 billion in forage crop value under a gradual adoption scenario. However, achieving this scale requires overcoming systemic barriers, including weak seed markets, limited private sector engagement, fragmented policy implementation, and poor farmer access to quality planting materials. Forage development is therefore both a technical and institutional challenge, calling for farmer training, improved extension services, access to finance, embedding forage seed systems into national strategies, decentralizing seed production, harmonizing regional seed regulations, and incentivizing private sector engagement. With the right investments and policy frameworks, improved forage systems can enhance livestock productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and contribute to food security and climate resilience across Southeast Asia.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a versatile leguminous crop that is widely grown in many parts of the world. However, its productivity is challenged by several limitations of which declining soil fertility is one of the major factors. The problem is aggravated by lack of integration in use of organic and inorganic fertilizer. A study was conducted in 2023 and 2024 at two potential soybean growing locations in southern Ethiopia to investigate effects of combined applications of vermicompost and phosphorus fertilizer on soybean yield and economic benefits. Experimental treatments consisted of factorial combinations of four levels of vermicompost (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 t ha⁻¹) and four levels of phosphorus (0, 10, 20, and 30 kg ha⁻¹) and were tested in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Results had shown significant differences in yield and yield-related components due to both main and interaction effects. Application of 10 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus combined with 7.5 t ha⁻¹, vermicompost resulted in the highest number of pods per plant with 44 in 2023 and 42 in 2024. This combination increased the number of pods per plant by 240% compared to the control, averaged over the 2 years. The highest biomass was obtained from the combined use of 10 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus with 7.5 t ha⁻¹vermicompost, resulting in 10.3 t ha⁻¹ average biomass yield. The combination 10 kg ha⁻¹of phosphorus with 7.5 t ha⁻¹of vermicompost resulted in the highest average grain yield of 3.67 t ha⁻¹. Similarly, this combination provided the highest net benefit of $995 and a benefit–cost ratio of 3. In conclusion, the study recommends the combined application of 10 kg ha⁻¹ phosphorus and 7.5 t ha⁻¹vermicompost for the two test sites and similar agro-ecological environments based on best crop yield and economic benefit.

The growth of the livestock industry in the northwestern Indo-Gangetic plains is constrained by a persistent deficit in the sustainable supply of high-quality fodder. Silage production offers a viable solution to this challenge, with maize (Zea mays L.) being an ideal crop due to its rapid growth and high palatable biomass. However, weed competition and silage yield of spring maize (sown in February) can vary across different crop rotations. To identify a suitable crop rotation that minimizes crop–weed competition in subtropical conditions, the performance of spring maize was evaluated under both weedy and herbicide-treated (atrazine at 0.892 lb acre⁻¹) conditions across three crop rotations: summer maize–oat (Avena sativa L.)–spring maize (M-O-SpM), summer maize–turnip rape (Brassica rapa ssp. oleifera)–spring maize (M-T-SpM), and summer maize–rapeseed (Brassica napus L.)–spring maize (M-RS-SpM) during 2020–2021 and 2021–2022. In these rotations, summer maize was cultivated for grain, while spring maize was grown for silage production following the harvest of the respective winter crops. Among the rotations, M-RS-SpM exhibited greater weed competition in spring maize compared to M-T-SpM and M-O-SpM rotations. Under herbicide-treated conditions, spring maize silage yield was 23.4% and 21.9% higher in M-T-SpM and M-O-SpM, respectively, than in M-RS-SpM. Additionally, silage quality, assessed in terms of nutritive value, fermentation characteristics and digestibility, was superior in M-T-SpM and M-O-SpM rotations. These rotations also recorded 6.2%–6.9% higher maize equivalent yield and11.2%–14.4% greater net returns under herbicide-treated conditions. Therefore, the maize–turnip rape–spring maize and maize–oat–spring maize rotations, when combined with chemical weed control in spring maize, are recommended for enhancing silage productivity and profitability in dairy farming systems of north-western India.