Defoliation frequency and cultivar effects on the storage and utilisation of stolon and root reserves in white clover

2000 ◽  
Vol 51 (8) ◽  
pp. 1039 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Lawson ◽  
K. B. Kelly ◽  
P. W. G. Sale
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Cultivar Differences ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Plant Weight ◽  
Stolon Length ◽  
Defoliation Frequency ◽  
Leaf Appearance

The effects of defoliation frequency (2 or 6 defoliations over a 91-day period) on the reserve status and growth rate of 2 white clover cultivars, cvv. Irrigation (medium-leafed) and Haifa (large-leafed), were examined over the final 42 days of the defoliation treatments. The clover plants consisted of single stolons growing in a sand/scoria mix in an unheated glasshouse, and were fertilised weekly with a solution containing essential nutrients excluding nitrogen. More frequent defoliation reduced the leaf appearance rate, stolon elongation rate, and plant size, and increased stolon death, with all of these effects being less pronounced in Irrigation than in Haifa (18% v. 30%, 60% v. 80%, and 23% v 34%, respectively, for leaf appearance rates, stolon elongation rates, and the proportion of stolon length that died). With infrequent defoliation, the combined utilisation of starch and water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) reserves in the first 14 days after defoliation was equivalent to 15% of the plant weight at defoliation, and to 95% of the new leaf produced during that period. Frequent defoliation reduced the reserve content and remobilisation less in Irrigation than in Haifa, with the combined mass of remobilised starch and WSC over the first 14 days after defoliation being 2.9% and 2.0% of the plant weight at defoliation, and 29% and 19% of leaf production over that period, for Irrigation and Haifa, respectively. The greater reserve mobilisation in Irrigation than in Haifa plants under frequent defoliation probably contributed to their higher growth rates and reduced stolon death. These cultivar differences with frequent defoliation suggest that Irrigation is more suited to frequent defoliation than Haifa.

Defoliation frequency and genotype effects on stolon and root reserves in white clover

1998 ◽  
Vol 49 (6) ◽  
pp. 983 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Lawson ◽  
P. W. G. Sale ◽  
K. B. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Starch Concentration ◽  
Nitrogen Concentrations ◽  
Defoliation Frequency ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Nitrogen Contents ◽  
Principal Method

The effect of defoliation frequency (1 or 3 defoliations over a 42-day period) on the starch, water soluble carbohydrate (WSC), and nitrogen contents of 3 white clover cultivars (Haifa, Irrigation, and S184) was examined. The clover plants consisted of single stolons growing in a sand/scoria mix in an unheated glasshouse and fertilised weekly with a nitrogen-free solution. Starch concentrations ranged from 1·3% in frequently defoliated Haifa to 15·3% in infrequently defoliated S184 plants. However, there was no interaction between cultivar and defoliation frequency, with the starch concentration in S184 (11·2%) being twice that in Irrigation (6·0%) and 3 times that in Haifa (3·8%). The starch concentration was also less with frequent (3·7%) than with infrequent (10·3%) defoliation. The starch was localised in the old stolon material (12·2%), with lower levels of starch in both the young stolon (6·0%) and roots (4·0%). Furthermore, the cultivar and defoliation frequency effects on the starch concentrations were most pronounced in the old stolon. More frequent defoliation also resulted in a small reduction in the WSC and nitrogen concentrations in both the young and old stolons of Haifa, but not of Irrigation. It was concluded that although starch reserves were the principal method of reserve storage in white clover, WSC and nitrogen reserves will form a relatively large fraction of the reserve pool when starch reserves are depleted under conditions such as frequent defoliation.

The assessment of herbage legume varieties. II. In vitro digestibility, water soluble carbohydrate, crude protein and mineral content of primary growth of clover and lucerne

1966 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-357 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Ellis Davies ◽  
G. ap Griffith ◽  
A. Ellington
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrates ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
In Vitro Digestibility ◽  
Primary Growth

The primary growth of eight varieties of three species–white clover (3), red clover (4) and lucerne (1)–was sampled at fortnightly intervals and the percentage dry matter, in vitro digestibility, crude protein, water soluble carbohydrates, P, Ca, K, Na and Mg were determined.Differences between species were nearly always significant and the general order of merit was white clover, red clover and lucerne. The exceptions were for dry-matter percentage where this order was reversed, and red clover had the lowest Na and highest Mg content.

Rumen volatile fatty acids on six pasture species and relations with digestibility, voluntary intake and chemical composition

1974 ◽  
Vol 14 (67) ◽  
pp. 161 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Michell
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Total Concentration ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Single Species ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Seasonal Differences

The total concentration and the relative proportions of the volatile fatty acids (VFA) were measured in rumens of sheep fed 78 single species pasture samples. The pastures consisted of regrowths of white clover (Trifolium repens cv. Grasslands Huia), Manawa regrass (Lolium perenne x multiflorum cv. Grasslands Manawa), Ariki ryegrass (Lolium (multiflorum x perenne) x L. perenne cv. Grasslands Ariki), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Tasmania No. 1) , Currie cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Currie) and Apanui cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata cv. Grasslands Apanui), cut eight times between May, 1969 and August, 1970. Sheep fed cocksfoot had lower VFA concentrations, higher proportions of acetate (HAc) and lower proportions of butyrate (HBu) than sheep fed white clover and ryegrass (P < 0.05). They also had lower proportions of propionate (HPr) than sheep fed ryegrass (P < 0.05). Sheep fed white clover had higher proportions of valerate (HVa) than those fed the grasses (P < 0.05). There were no significant (P < 0.05) seasonal differences in total VFA concentration but HAc was lowest with spring pasture (P < 0.05) and HBu was lowest with autumn pasture (P < 0.05). Total VFA concentration was positively related to digestibility (DMD) (r = +0.52, P < 0.01) but species differences occurred and at similar DMD, white clover produced higher concentrations than ryegrass (P < 0.05) which produced higher concentrations than cocksfoot (P < 0.01). The overall relation between total VFA and intake (DMI) was weak but seasonal differences occurred and at similar levels of DMI, winter pasture produced higher VFA concentrations than spring-summer pasture (P < 0.01). The proportion of HPr was positively related to VFA concentration (r = +0.53, P < 0.01) and to water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) content (r = +0.51, P < 0.01) and relations with DMD and DM1 were weak and non-significant (P > 0.05).

Morphology of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) plants in pastures under intensive sheep grazing

1988 ◽  
Vol 111 (2) ◽  
pp. 273-283 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. L. Brock ◽  
M. J. M. Hay ◽  
V. J. Thomas ◽  
J. R. Sedcole
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Plant Morphology ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Plant Size ◽  
Early Spring ◽  
Axillary Buds ◽  
Branching Order ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Stolon Length ◽  
Total Plant

SummaryThere has been little study on the growth and morphology of individual plants constituting the population of white clover in mixed swards under grazing. Such information is required if the mechanisms governing plant productivity and persistence are to be understood.Intact white clover plants were sampled from intensively sheep-grazed pastures under set stocking, rotational grazing, and a combination of both systems, by taking turves (250 × 250 mm), and washing out the plants, every month for a year. Characters measured for every stolon of each plant were: presence of a growing point; numbers of leaves, roots and axillary buds; stolon length. Total plant leaf and stolon dry weight were also recorded. Plants were classified according to degree of branching, and the contribution of each branching order to the population determined.There were strong seasonal variations in plant size (leaf and stolon dry weight, stolon length, and numbers of stolons and leaves per plant) which showed a significant decrease in spring with recovery over the following summer. This was paralleled by a rapid increase in the proportion of less branched plants (1st and 2nd branching order) in the population from 60 to 80% in spring, as higher-order plants broke up into smaller- and lower-ordered plants at this time. Numbers of roots per plant increased over winter to peak in early spring then declined in the following summer-autumn. While system of grazing management had no significant effect on branching structure of plants, it had a large effect on plant dry weight; rotationally grazed plants were 2·5 times larger than set stocked plants (0·182 cf. 0·073 g respectively).Other general features of plant morphology were that each successive order of branch stolons was shorter and length before branching was less than that of their preceding parent stolon. The highest branching order observed was 6th order. There was no relationship between branching and numbers of roots; in branched plants only 55% of stolons were rooted regardless of plant order, but rooted stolons accounted for 85% of total stolon length and carried 62, 48 and 90% of the leaves, growing points and axillary buds per plant, respectively.Comparison with other studies suggests that the processes outlined in this report may be common to white clover growth under grazing over a wide range of favourable environments.

The effect of grazing severity and fertiliser application during winter on herbage regrowth and quality of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

2007 ◽  
Vol 47 (7) ◽  
pp. 825 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. M. Lee ◽  
D. J. Donaghy ◽  
J. R. Roche
Keyword(s):  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
The Third ◽  
Appearance Rate ◽  
Leaf Appearance Rate ◽  
N Treatment ◽  
Fertiliser Application ◽  
Tiller Density ◽  
Leaf Appearance

The objective of the current study was to quantify the effects of greater herbage residuals in winter on leaf appearance rate, herbage accumulation and quality, and plant energy reserves, as well as quantifying the effects nitrogen (N), or phosphorus (P) and sulfur (S) fertilisers had on the above measures. Ten pasture areas were grazed to different residual masses (1260 ± 101 and 1868 ± 139 kg DM/ha, Severe and Lax, respectively) over five consecutive days by dry dairy cows. Two randomly located subplots within each grazing area were fertilised with either 50 kg N/ha (N treatment) or 50 kg N/ha, 31 kg S/ha plus 26 kg P/ha (N + S + P treatment) on the day immediately following defoliation (day 1), and were compared with a control subplot. Neither growth rate (15.1 ± 8.1 kg DM/ha.day), nor leaf appearance rate (15.1 ± 0.3 days per new leaf) differed between treatments. As a result, herbage accumulated over the 49 days of regrowth was similar across grazing treatments and averaged 726 kg DM/ha. Application of N + S + P tended to increase total herbage accumulated during regrowth compared with either the control or N treatment subplots (860 v. 675 and 643 kg DM/ha, respectively), likely a result of increased tiller density. Swards defoliated more severely had lower initial water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations compared with swards laxly defoliated, but this difference had disappeared before appearance of the third new leaf. Herbage quality improved in the Severe treatment subplots after emergence of the third new leaf, with higher digestibility, greater WSC and metabolisable energy, and lower fibre content than in laxly grazed subplots.

Relations between fibre and water soluble carbohydrate contents of pasture species and their digestibility and voluntary intake by sheep

1973 ◽  
Vol 13 (61) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
PJ Michell
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Dry Matter Digestibility ◽  
Voluntary Intake ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

Neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and water soluble carbohydrate (WSC) levels were determined on 80 samples of known apparent dry matter digestibility (DMD) and voluntary intake of dry matter (DMI). The pastures consisted of regrowths of six species: Trifolium repens (white clover cv. Grasslands Huia), Lolium perenne x L. multiflorum (short rotation ryegrass c.v Grasslands Manawa), Lolium perenne (long rotation ryegrass cv. Grasslands Ariki), Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass cv. Tasmania No. I), Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot cv. Currie) and Dactylis glomerata (cocksfoot cv. Grasslands Apanui), cut eight times between May 1969 and August 1970. Overall, white clover had a lower NDF and a lower WSC content than the ryegrasses but both groups had similar ADF contents. Cocksfoots had higher NDF and ADF, and lower WSC contents than the ryegrasses. NDF and ADF could be used to predict the DMD of all species in all seasons with residual standard deviations (RSD) of 3.0 and 3.2 DMD units (per cent) respectively. No significant relations (P < 0.05) were present between DMD and WSC content. Seasonal differences were present in the relations between DMI and chemical composition. The RSD of the overall regressions of intake with NDF, ADF, and WSC contents were 9.3, 9.4, and 8.9 DMI units (g/day/kg0.75) respectively. Within seasons, DMI was best predicted by regressions with detergent fibre content and here the RSD had a range of 3.4 to 5.2 DMI units. Within species over all seasons, DMI was predicted best by regressions with WSC content and the RSD had a range of 5.7 to 7.9 DMI units. The usefulness of the chemical composition measurements in explaining the reason for the low intakes, previously found with winter pasture, is discussed.

Quantitative digestion of fresh herbage by sheep:V. The digestion of four herbages and prediction of sites of digestion

1979 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 605-616 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Ulyatt ◽  
A. R. Egan
Keyword(s):  
Organic Matter ◽  
Small Intestine ◽  
Organic Acids ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Crude Protein ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Dietary Origin

SUMMARYThe extents and sites of digestion of organic matter (OM), and its constituent watersoluble carbohydrates, organic acids, pectin, cellulose, hemicellulose and crude protein have been studied in sheep prepared with re-entrant duodenal cannulas and fed four fresh herbage diets, Ruanui perennial ryegrass, Tama Westerwolds ryegrass, Pitau white clover and Fakir sainfoin, at each of two levels of intake.The water-soluble carbohydrate, organic acids and pectin of all diets were almost completely digested within the rumen. Some 10% of water soluble carbohydrate reached the duodenum on each diet, though this may not have been of dietary origin. Only on legume diets, where pectin concentration was higher, did measurable amounts of pectin reach the intestine, accounting for some 5% of the pectin.Hemicellulose and cellulose digestibilities differed between diets, being lowest for sainfoin, and next lowest for clover. Between 79 and 94% of digestible hemicellulose was digested in the stomach, but diet and intake had no significant effect on this partition. Of the digestible cellulose, 87–97% was digested in the stomach.Digestibility of N was lowest for sainfoin and highest for Tama ryegrass. There were no significant differences between herbage species or intake in the percentage of digested N digested in the stomach or intestines. The tannin contained in sainfoin had no effect on nitrogen digestion.Data from this and other studies reported in the literature were examined as a basis for establishing prediction equations whereby the partition of digestion of the major carbohydrate and nitrogenous constituents in stomach and intestines might be estimated from data obtainable from standard digestibility trials. Regressions were developed for predicting the amounts of OM, cellulose, and hemicellulose digested in the stomach. There are not yet enough suitable data available to predict the amount of nitrogen entering the small intestine.

Effects of upland pastures sown with two contrasting Lolium perenne varieties on the performance of beef steers when compared to steers grazing permanent pastures

2005 ◽  
Vol 2005 ◽  
pp. 194-194
Author(s):  
C. L. Marley ◽  
D. A. Davies ◽  
J. E. Vale ◽  
J. G. Evans ◽  
N. D. Scollan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dairy Cows ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
White Clover ◽  
High Water ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Production Performance ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Beef Steers ◽  
Water Soluble Carbohydrate

Grazing experiments have shown that using a ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) variety bred by conventional techniques for high water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) concentrations can improve liveweight gain in pre-weaned lambs (Lee et al., 2001) and increase milk yields and reduce N excretion in dairy cows (Miller et al., 2001) compared to conventional ryegrass. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of using reseeded upland pastures, sown with either a ryegrass variety bred for elevated levels of WSC or a control ryegrass on the production performance of grazing steers when compared to steers grazing permanent ryegrass/white clover pastures.

The grazing preferences of cattle and sheep

1960 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. J. Cowlishaw ◽  
F. E. Alder
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Lignin Content ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Soluble Carbohydrate ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Red Fescue ◽  
Rye Grass ◽  
Preference Rank ◽  
Winter Grazing ◽  
Cattle And Sheep

Factors affecting the grazing habits of ruminants are discussed in relation to the attractiveness and nutritive value of herbages and the observed preferences of cattle and sheep at different times.Methods of measuring stock preferences are considered and it is concluded that, while frequent eye estimates of the quantity of each species appear to provide an adequate method, continuous observations and herbage sampling are useful adjuncts to it.The results of five experiments are given. Four were carried out in 3 years' winter grazing and one on spring, summer and autumn grazing over 2 years. In the latter experiment herbage samples were chemically analysed and a relationship with the observed preferences was calculated.In the winter grazing trials the greener grasses tended to be selected first, i.e. timothy, white clover, rough-stalked meadow grass, perennial and Italian rye-grass. Cocksfoot, Phalaris, red fescue and meadow fescue were not generally relished. Meadow foxtail, smooth-stalked meadow grass, tall fescue and sometimes the different varieties of rye-grass and timothy varied in rank from year to year as a result of differential frost damage and fungal attacks.In the summer grazing trials lucerne and white clover were found palatable in all the 1956 trials; in 1957 lucerne remained so, but white clover was less well liked, especially in June and July. The amount of grass growing with the clover seemed to affect attractiveness, mixtures being preferred to either species by itself. Meadow fescue and timothy were always ranked high, perennial rye-grass and cocksfoot usually next. Agrostis and red fescue were lowest. For the grasses, preference rank was positively correlated in 1957 with water-soluble dry matter, water-soluble ash, water-soluble carbohydrate and negatively correlated with lignin content.Results are compared with those of other investigators and they show a marked degree of similarity. Variability in the data for sheep is possibly due to limitations in technique. The results for sheep and for cattle are compared; and it was generally found that cattle were fonder of meadow fescue than sheep, and less fond of cocksfoot.Stock appear to graze those plants which will most readily supply their requirements for salts and energy (carbohydrates). Factors like dung, fungal attack, accessibility, density and toughness may interfere with this relationship.

The effect of temperature on germination and seedling growth of temperate perennial pasture legumes.

1991 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 175 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill ◽  
R Luck
Keyword(s):  
Seedling Growth ◽  
White Clover ◽  
Red Clover ◽  
The Other ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Birdsfoot Trefoil ◽  
Leaf Production ◽  
Sericea Lespedeza ◽  
Pasture Legumes ◽  
Leaf Appearance

Germination of 10 perennial pasture legumes, white clover, red clover, strawberry clover, lucerne, Caucasian clover, cicer milkvetch, crownvetch, birdsfoot trefoil, big trefoil and sericea lespedeza, was compared under five day/night temperature regimens: 24/20, 20/15, 15/10, 12/6 and 8/2�C. Growth of seedlings of Caucasian clover, birdsfoot trefoil, cicer milkvetch, crownvetch and sericea lespedeza was compared with that of white clover at four serial harvests over a 5-week period at the three highest temperatures. Three main patterns of germination were observed. Firstly, temperature had little effect on maximum percentage, time to first germination and rate of germination in lucerne. Secondly, all Trifolium species and birdsfoot trefoil exhibited reductions in rate of germination and increases in time to germination at the two lowest temperatures. Thirdly, the remaining species showed either very slow or no germination at the two lowest temperatures, where there were large reductions in the maximum germination where germination occurred. Seedling growth was characterized by better dry matter and leaf production from white and Caucasian clovers at 15/10�C than for the other species, but very marked increases in growth at the higher temperatures by the other four species. Lespedeza was always the least vigorous seedling, and birdsfoot trefoil and crownvetch grew as well or better than the Trifolium species at 24/20�C. Slow first leaf appearance in crownvetch and cicer milkvetch seemed to be associated with a much greater capacity for cotyledon expansion in these species. While Caucasian clover appears to be well suited for establishment under Australian conditions, promising species such as cicer milkvetch and crownvetch will require selection for better germination and seedling growth at low temperatures or the introduction of more winter active germplasm if they are to become useful plants in Australian pastures.

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