Search Results (19)

Records from 2012 to 2019 for two herds were analyzed to determine how tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumont) endophyte (Epichloë coenophialum) status affected the productivity of spring-calving cows and calves. Pastures either contained tall fescue with wildtype endophyte (high levels of ergot alkaloids) or novel- or endophyte-free tall fescue (largely ergot alkaloid free). The experimental design was a randomized complete block with year as the replication unit. Forage samples from the farm with toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue contained 1136 ± 413 ppb total ergot alkaloids, while forage from the non-toxic pastures on the second farm contained 118 ± 83 ppb total ergot alkaloids. Artificial insemination pregnancy rates and calving rates were greater (p < 0.05) for cows that grazed non-toxic tall fescue (51.2 ± 2.8% and 93.5 ± 1.4%, respectively) than for cows on toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue (43.3 ± 2.8% and 88.8 ± 1.4%, respectively). Birth weights and weaning weights were greater (p < 0.05) for calves from the non-toxic tall fescue system (37 ± 1 kg and 278 ± 8 kg, respectively) than for calves from the toxic endophyte-infected tall fescue system (33 ± 1 kg and 254 ± 8 kg, respectively). Raising cattle on tall fescue without the toxic endophyte improved cow and calf productivity. Full article

Incorporating temperate legumes is a strategy for increasing nitrogen (N) in tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort, nom. Cons) systems. However, when temperatures are elevated, biological N-fixation (BNF) by temperate legumes is limited. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), a warm-season annual legume, may provide greater N input during the warm season. This 2-year study aimed to (1) determine BNF in sunn hemp-tall fescue mixed pastures and (2) determine N transfer from sunn hemp to tall fescue. The experiment included four replicates of two treatments: tall fescue (TF) and tall fescue intercropped with sunn hemp (TF+SH), arranged in a randomized complete block design. Response variables included δ¹⁵N, N derived from the atmosphere (%NDFA), BNF, N concentration, N transferred (%Ntran), N stock, and herbage accumulation (HA). Herbage accumulation was 16% greater in TF+SH compared to TF (p < 0.05). Root mass was 43% greater for TF compared to both species combined in TF+SH (p < 0.05). Herbage N was 40% greater in sunn hemp shoots than tall fescue shoots in TF or TF+SH (p < 0.05). Sunn hemp root N was 34% greater than tall fescue (p < 0.05). NDFA by sunn hemp was 88% and 100% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. BNF by sunn hemp was greater (p < 0.05) in 2018 than in 2017 (53.8 and 44.3 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). The %Ntran from sunn hemp to tall fescue was 13 and 20% in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Interseeding sunn hemp into tall fescue pastures can provide an alternate N source to tall fescue-based forage-livestock systems, increasing herbage accumulation during the summer grazing season. Full article

Many cool-season pastures in the southeastern U.S. are dominated by a competitive cool-season grass, tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), and lack substantial plant diversity. Planting native warm-season grasses (NWSGs) and wildflowers (WFs) into these pastures could provide summer forage for cattle and more floral resources for pollinators. This paper summarizes field experiments designed to evaluate different spatiotemporal planting arrangements of NWSGs and WFs to improve their establishment success. The study was conducted from April 2021 to October 2023 in central Virginia (USA). Planting treatments included NWSG and WF mixtures planted: (1) together in the same space, (2) spatially separated in space (i.e., side by side), or (3) temporally separated where NWSGs and WFs were planted in difference sequences. Results showed few differences in forage mass, floral production, and botanical composition as well as stand density in 2021 and 2022. In 2023, NWSG abundance was greater where grasses were planted first or mixed with WFs. Similarly, the WF component was favored when they were planted before NWSGs. Overall, planting NWSG and WF mixes separately, either spatially or temporally, favors successful establishment and could offer more flexibility for using selective herbicides to suppress the heavy weed pressure that often accompanies these plantings. Full article

Organic soil amendments are a sustainable option for modifying soil structure and improving plant performance in the face of abiotic stressors such as drought and soil salinity. Of these amendments, biochar and compost have the added benefits of carbon sequestration and waste recycling. Establishment studies were conducted on tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) (syn., Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort and Lolium arundinaceum (Scop.) Holub) to assess the potential inhibition of establishment by compost and biochar products. Both green waste and biosolid compost impaired establishment rates, while biochar did not. In the field study, the green waste treatments were slower to reach 50% coverage than the untreated control or when biochar was added to the soil, but all treatments reached 75% and final coverage at a similar rate. Field application of compost had a positive effect on final root length and volume but a negative effect on tall fescue roots in the greenhouse. The negative effect of higher salts and volatiles in the biosolids compost was reduced when biosolids and biochar were incorporated into the soil simultaneously. This work represents one of the only large-scale field studies on turfgrass establishment comparing the impact of biochar and compost products on turfgrass establishment. Full article

Fine fescues (Festuca spp.) and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) are low-input turfgrass species that perform well under less water, pesticides, and fertilizers when compared to commonly cultivated species in the Midwestern US. There are numerous benefits in increasing the use of low-input turfgrasses: lowering resource usage, reducing maintenance costs, improving the landscape aesthetic, and contributing to residents’ health and general wellbeing. However, increasing the market share of these grasses requires an understanding of what influences buyers to purchase these turfgrasses. These grasses are usually purchased by consumers as seed; however, sod is a preferred method of establishment for many professional end users. To better understand the economic potential of low-input turfgrass sod, we surveyed sod buyers (landscapers, golf courses, sports turf managers) who purchased sod in 2020 to investigate (1) the factors impacting them to purchase low-input turfgrasses, and (2) the factors influencing the quantity purchased of low-input turfgrasses. The results from our model showed that larger businesses are the most likely to purchase low-input turfgrasses, and, once they purchase them, they tend to acquire a larger amount than their smaller counterparts. Landscaping businesses were more likely to purchase low-input turfgrasses, and factors such as availability, distance, drought, and shade tolerance impacted the decision to purchase low-input turfgrasses. Finally, turfgrass density, the ability to purchase directly from the sod grower, and availability impacted the amount of turfgrasses that buyers purchased. Full article

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Shreb.) Dumort) is a cool-season forage grown in the mid-south United States of America that has the potential for spring silage. Ergovaline produced by the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum is preserved in tall fescue silage and can induce tall fescue toxicosis in livestock. Condensed tannins, such as quebracho (Schinopsis quebracho-colorado (Schltdl.) F.A. Barkley and T. Meyer) extract, can bind to the nitrogenous components of ergovaline, rendering it ineffective in the ruminant. Quebracho tannin (QT) can also bind to crude protein, reducing its conversion to ammonia. Quebracho tannin was either not added (0QT) or added at 10 (10QT) or 20 (20QT) g/kg of dry matter (DM) of silage to chopped endophyte-infected tall fescue of 670 g/kg of moisture (high moisture, HM) and 440 g/kg of moisture (low moisture, LM). A moisture × QT interaction affected the final pH (p = 0.02), with the lowest pH observed in HM silages with 0QT and 10QT. The ergovaline concentrations were not significantly different (p = 0.19) among the post-ensiled forages. Ammonia concentrations (g/kg DM) were affected by a moisture × QT interaction (p = 0.05), with greater concentrations observed in HM 0QT compared with HM 10QT, HM 20QT, and LM 20QT. Lactic acid concentrations (g/kg DM) decreased (p = 0.05) with the addition of QT. The moisture × QT interaction (p = 0.02) resulted in higher concentrations of acetic acid in the HM silages with 0QT and 20QT compared to the LM silage with 20QT. The total acid concentrations (g/kg DM) were higher (p < 0.01) at HM but did not differ (p = 0.54) across the QT concentrations. Ensiling tall fescue with quebracho tannin did not reduce the ergovaline concentrations, although proteolysis was reduced at the inclusion of 10 g/kg of QT in the HM silages and 20 g/kg of QT in the LM silages. The results indicate that QT as a tall fescue silage additive showed promise for modifying silage characteristics but it did not reduce ergovaline concentrations at the low QT levels used in this study. Full article

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) is a cool-season grass which is commonly infected with the fungal endophyte Epichloë coenophiala. Although the relationship between tall fescue and E. coenophiala is well-studied, less is known about its broader fungal communities. We used next-generation sequencing of the ITS2 region to describe the complete foliar fungal microbiomes in a set of field-grown tall fescue plants over two years, and whether these fungal communities were affected by the presence of Epichloë. We used the Georgia 5 cultivar of tall fescue, grown in the field for six years prior to sampling. Plants were either uninfected with E. coenophiala, or they were infected with one of two E. coenophiala strains: The common toxic strain or the AR542 strain (sold commerically as MaxQ). We observed 3487 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) across all plants and identified 43 ASVs which may make up a potential core microbiome. Fungal communities did not differ strongly between Epichloë treatments, but did show a great deal of variation between the two years. Plant fitness also changed over time but was not influenced by E. coenophiala infection. Full article

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is often managed with a cutting height ranging from 70 to 100 mm in ornamental lawns. Some autonomous mowers have been specifically designed to maintain mowing height in the same range. Generally, autonomous mowers operate by following random trajectories, and substantial overlapping is needed to obtain full coverage of the working area. In the case of tall grass, this may cause lodging of grass plants, which in turn may reduce turf quality. The introduction of a navigation system based on systematic trajectories has the potential to improve the performances of autonomous mowers with respect to machine efficiency and turf quality. With the aim of determining the effects of reduced mowing frequency and systematic navigation systems on turf quality and mower performances in terms of working time, energy consumption and overlapping, the performances of two autonomous mowers working with random and systematic trajectories were tested on a mature tall fescue lawn at 90 mm cutting height. The working efficiency was approximately 80% for the systematic trajectories and approximately 35% for the random trajectories; this was mainly due to the lower overlapping associated with systematic trajectories. Turf quality was slightly higher for the mower working systematically (a score of 8 using a 1–9 score with 1 = poor, 6 = acceptable and 9 = best) compared to the one working randomly (quality of 7 and 6 on a 1–9 scale with 1 = poor and 9 = best). No appreciable lodging was observed in either case. For tall, managed lawns, systematic trajectories may improve autonomous mowers’ overall performances. Full article

Regulatory restrictions on herbicide use for managing turfgrass weeds has prompted the search for alternative control strategies. Fescue (Festuca) species were identified for their potential to interfere with growth of annual and perennial weeds. In a study conducted in 2018 and 2019, six fescue cultivars were tested from five different species for interference with the growth of three common turfgrass weeds: white clover (Trifolium repens L., WC), daisy (Bellis perennis L.) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium L.). Fine (Festuca L. spp.) and tall fescues (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) were sown and grown in a field trial for 14 days before overseeding with different weeds. vigor and visual quality of grasses, weed cover, and vegetation cover was recorded regularly for 84 days. Differences in mean temperatures and precipitation between the two years of the study resulted in differences in growth of grasses and weeds, as well as in the extent of weed interference of fescue cultivars. Cultivars Musica (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaudin) and Barpearl (F. rubra L. ssp. littoralis) were least affected by weed growth during both years, but there was overlap with other cultivars for the measured parameters. Melyane (tall fescue) was deemed unsuitable for natural weed suppression because growth and vigor declined after first mowing, ultimately leading to unacceptable visual quality. Turfgrass visual scores were moderately negatively correlated to weed cover in both years. Future research should focus on F. rubra L. ssp. rubra Gaudin and F. rubra L. ssp. littoralis subspecies and identify the mechanisms used to interfere with weed growth. Full article

The runoff or leaching of nitrogen fertilizers from monoculture turfgrass lawns contri-butes to water pollution, and such lawns are susceptible to insect pests and provide few resources for pollinators. One approach to creating more sustainable lawns is to incorporate white clover (Trifolium repens L.), a nitrogen-fixing legume, into grass seed mixtures or existing turfgrass swards. “Dutch” white clover (DWC), a ubiquitous landrace, forms non-uniform clumps when intermixed with turfgrasses, thus it is often considered to be a lawn weed. Recently, several dwarf varieties of white clover have been selected for their small leaf size and low growth habit, allowing them to tolerate low mowing heights and blend better with grasses. To date, there have been no studies published on the entomological aspects of dwarf clover in pure stands or intermixed with turfgrass. We established field plots with combinations of DWC, two cultivars of dwarf clover, and tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) in monoculture or mixed swards, and compared the invertebrate communities therein. Predatory arthropods and earthworm numbers were similar in all plot types. The clover monocultures were resistant to white grubs, but the grub densities in the clover–tall fescue dicultures were similar to those found in the pure tall fescue swards. Dwarf clovers and DWC were similarly attractive to bees and supported similar bee assemblages. The tall fescue foliar N content was elevated 17–27% in the dicultures with clovers. Full article

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is the most widely used species in the European transition zone, however, despite its good wear tolerance, its use is still limited to lawns and landscape areas due to concerns about its ability to withstand low mowing regimes. A two years field study was conducted to access performance of twenty tall fescue cultivars (‘Ares’, ‘Armani’, ‘Dynamites LS’, ‘Firecracker SLS’, ‘Firewall’, ‘Foxhound’ ‘Granditte’, ‘JT-LT2′, ‘JT-338′, ‘Karakum’, ‘Lexington’, ‘Olympic Gold’, ‘Rebounder’, ‘Rhambler SRP’, ‘Starlett’, ‘Supersonic’, ‘Talladega’, ‘Thunderstruck’, ‘Titanium 2LS’, ‘Turfway’) mowed weekly at 18 mm. Turfgrass was evaluated every two weeks for visual quality, color, density, texture and uniformity, as well as percent green cover (PGC) and dark green color index (DGCI), and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and traction twice per year. Although no cultivars showed sufficient quality throughout the year, ‘Turfway’, ‘Titanium 2LS’ and ‘JT-338’ achieved high quality rating during spring and fall, the two seasons with the highest frequency of games played on sports field in northern Italy. Traction ratings collected in these study fell within acceptable range for football fields. Our results suggest that improved dwarf-type tall fescue cultivars can be used in sport fields in Northern Italy. Full article

Spatially patchy fire creates landscape-level diversity that in turn stabilizes several rangeland ecosystem services, including forage production and habitat availability. To enhance biodiversity and livestock production, efforts are underway to restore fire regimes in rangelands throughout the Great Plains. However, invasive species such as tall fescue Schedonorus arundinaceus syn. Festuca arundinacea, initially introduced for forage production, hamper prescribed fire use. Grazer density, or stocking rate, modulates the effect of patchy fire regimes on ecological patterns in invaded, semi-natural rangeland pastures. We compare three diversity–stability responses—temporal variability in aboveground plant biomass, portfolio effects among plant functional groups, and beta diversity in plant functional group composition—in pastures managed with two different fire regimes through three periods of heavy, light, and moderate stocking rate in southern Iowa, USA. Pastures were either burned in patches, with one-third of the pasture burned each year, or completely burned every third year. The period of moderate grazer density had the least temporal variability in aboveground plant biomass, regardless of fire regime. We also found statistical evidence for a portfolio effect under moderate stocking, where diversification of plant communities through varying cover of functional groups can stabilize communities by reducing year-to-year variability. Beta diversity among plant functional groups was greatest during the moderate grazer density period as well. The short stature of tall fescue prevented the patch-burning regime to create contrast in vegetation structure among patches, and there was no difference in any diversity–stability mechanism response across the two different patterns of burning. Although longitudinal, these data suggest that temporal variability in aboveground plant biomass declines with diversity–stability mechanisms that underlie ecosystem function. Our results also support a decades-old principle of range management: moderate grazing intensity enhances diversity and stability, which has been shown to buffer forage shortfalls during drought. Full article

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) is a common perennial forage in cattle pastures of the southeastern United States. A mutualistic fungal endophyte normally infects the grass and produces ergot alkaloids toxic to livestock, but fungal biotypes that have no ergot alkaloid production have been developed. Here remote sensing methods were used to assess plant health in 1 ha grazed paddocks with application amongst different combinations of fertilizer sources (inorganic and broiler litter) and endophyte associations (wild, novel–tall fescue MaxQ type with novel endophyte, and free). Broiler litter fertilization is common in the region due to the presence of many chicken farms. Moreover, broiler litter costs are comparable to inorganic fertilizer depending on distance from source to application. Incorporating remote sensing, we tested the sensitivity of three indices: normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), enhanced vegetation index (EVI), and land surface water index (LSWI) to assess fescue plant health. Indices were obtained from satellite imagery provided by Landsat 7 ETM+ between the years 2005 and 2009. Sensitivity analytics suggested that LSWI was the optimum index to determine fescue plant health. The year experiencing drought (determined by annual precipitation) showed significant difference between fertilizer types (p = 0.05) and a nearly significant difference between endophyte associations (p = 0.08). There was no significant difference in years with normal or wet precipitation rates due to tall fescue endophyte association or type of fertilization. Limited availability of satellite imagery during parts of the five years of study might have influenced outcomes of statistical analyses. Nevertheless, the data and findings point to the potential use of satellite imagery in assessing grazingland tall fescue health and advancing the concept of poultry manureshed in the region or elsewhere where poultry manure production is extensive. Full article

The identification of minimal N requirements for sustaining turfgrass quality and functionality became necessary to reduce N fertilization inputs and avoid potential environmental impacts in the European Union. A two year study was conducted at Padova University in Legnaro, northeastern Italy to investigate the performance of four tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) cultivars (‘Lexington’, ‘Rhambler SRP’, ‘Rhizing star’, and ‘Thunderstruck’) fertilized twice per year at either 75 or 150 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹. Turfgrass was evaluated every two weeks for turfgrass visual quality, percent green cover (PGR) as well as dark green color index (DGCI) through digital image analysis and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). ‘Rhizing star’ was the only cultivar that showed poor adaptation to the environment, achieving acceptable turfgrass quality (6.0 or higher) only during June and July 2019. Turf fertilized at 150 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ generally showed higher performance than 75 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹, however, the increase in turfgrass quality was mostly negligible and detected only during the winter months. Results suggest that well adapted tall fescue cultivars could be fertilized at 75 kg N ha⁻¹ year⁻¹ in Northern Italy. Full article

Two alternative stocking methods (rotational and strip-grazing) were compared to continuous stocking at a stocking rate of 47 pigs ha⁻¹ in tall fescue pastures. The research was conducted during two twelve-weeks grazing periods in North Carolina (USA). In total 144 (females and castrated males, 17.5 and 29.1 kg initial body weight) crossbred Yorkshire X Berkshire, Yorkshire/Landrace X Hampshire and Yorkshire/Landrace X Duroc pigs without nose rings were used. Greater soil bulk density and soil concentrations of NO₃⁻, P, K, Mn, Zn and Cu were observed in paddocks managed continuously, while greater final ground cover (+22%) was recorded in paddocks managed with rotational and strip-grazing stocking methods. No differences were detected in botanical composition of the paddocks. Greater weight gains (+8.5%) were registered for rotationally managed pigs. Feed efficiency was better (+8%) for rotationally than for continuously stocked pigs, while strip-grazed pigs presented intermediate values. The results indicated the potential of both alternative stocking methods to be implemented in sustainable pasture-based pig production systems. Full article