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Agronomy
Special Issues
Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems
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Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems

A special issue of Agronomy (ISSN 2073-4395). This special issue belongs to the section "Grassland and Pasture Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2021) | Viewed by 12870

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Michael O'Donovan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Animal and Grassland Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C997 Co Cork, Ireland
Interests: grassland; grass dry matter intake; clover; milk production; sustainability

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Grasslands are important for agriculture. Permanent and temporary grasslands cover 61 million ha across the EU-28, representing 16% of the total land area and 40% of the European agricultural area. With a growing global population, food demand may increase by nearly 60% by 2050, and therefore, grasslands will face increasing challenges from other land requirements.  Grazing continues to be under threat across the world, however there are still much more opportunities to increase the efficiency and sustainability of grazing systems. To ensure that grasslands continue to evolve innovatively and with better management systems, new and innovative research is necessary to increase sward nutritive value under grazing. This Special Issue will invite scientists to share their work on their improvements in grassland nutritive value across grassland ecosystems. Submissions on the following topics (papers are not limited to these topics) are invited: (1) Innovative methods to increase grassland nutritive value in grazing systems; (2) Role of legumes to increase grazing efficiency; (3) Addition of other species to increase sward nutritive value; (4) Understanding and applying new methodologies to overcome nutritive value deficiencies in grazing systems; (5) Impacts of increased nutritive value on animal grass dry matter intake and (6) Modeling and decision support systems.

Dr. Michael O'Donovan
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Agronomy is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Grassland
  • Grazing
  • Nutritive value
  • Grass quality
  • Dry matter intake
  • Clover
  • Animal performance
  • Digestibility
  • Sustainability

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

6 pages, 1058 KiB  
Communication
The Repeatability of Grazing Efficiency as a Perennial Ryegrass Variety Trait
by Tomás Tubritt, Luc Delaby and Michael O’Donovan
Agronomy 2022, 12(3), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12030577 - 25 Feb 2022
Viewed by 1407
Abstract
The ‘Grazing Utilization’ sub-index within the Pasture Profit Index identifies perennial ryegrass varieties with high grazing efficiency. Grazing efficiency is assessed in plot trials conducted over a number of years. The objective of this study was to investigate the repeatability of variety grazing [...] Read more.
The ‘Grazing Utilization’ sub-index within the Pasture Profit Index identifies perennial ryegrass varieties with high grazing efficiency. Grazing efficiency is assessed in plot trials conducted over a number of years. The objective of this study was to investigate the repeatability of variety grazing efficiency. Correlations were derived between variety performance in separate evaluation years and between variety performances in separate trials. Grazing efficiency was found to be moderately repeatable, with correlation values ranging from 0.47 to 0.86 between years and ranging from 0.51 to 0.84 between trials. The results will provide commercial seed companies with increased confidence when developing variety mixes intended for intensive grazing. Farmers will benefit from improved variety selection and animal performance from their farms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 1532 KiB  
Article
Variation in the Nutritive Characteristics of Modern Perennial Ryegrass Cultivars in South-Eastern Australian Dairy Environments and Prospects for Inclusion in the Australian Forage Value Index (FVI)
by Clare Leddin, Khageswor Giri and Kevin Smith
Agronomy 2022, 12(1), 136; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy12010136 - 6 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1757
Abstract
Perennial ryegrass (PRG) is an important forage grown on dairy farms in temperate regions globally, including south-eastern Australia. A forage value index (FVI) providing information on the seasonal production of commercially available PRG cultivars is currently available. Despite the importance of the nutritive [...] Read more.
Perennial ryegrass (PRG) is an important forage grown on dairy farms in temperate regions globally, including south-eastern Australia. A forage value index (FVI) providing information on the seasonal production of commercially available PRG cultivars is currently available. Despite the importance of the nutritive value of pasture in dairy farm systems, the nutritive characteristics of PRG cultivars are not currently included in the FVI as they are not routinely measured in cultivar evaluation trials. This study investigated differences between cultivar functional groups (diploid and tetraploid). It also examined differences between individual cultivars within seasons at four locations in south-eastern Australia and examined how trial location affects cultivar ranking. Samples were collected from existing cultivar evaluation trials over a 3-year period and analysed for nutritive characteristics. There were differences (p < 0.05) between diploids and tetraploids for metabolisable energy (ME) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) in each season at each location with a few exceptions in summer and autumn. Crude protein (CP) differed between functional groups in some seasons at some sites. Spearman rank correlations within season were strong for ME between trial locations (r = 0.78–0.96), moderate to high for NDF (0.51–0.86) and variable for CP (−0.69–0.56). These findings provide guidance on methods for implementing nutritive value testing in cultivar evaluation trials and support the imminent inclusion of ME in the Australian FVI. The ranking of cultivars for ME was more consistent across trial sites compared to NDF and CP, suggesting the latter two traits, in particular CP, are more sensitive to environmental influences. Based on these results, we do not recommend the inclusion of CP as an individual trait in the Australian FVI. A significantly larger dataset and further research on the genotype by environment interactions would be needed to reconsider this. The addition of ME in the Australian FVI will lead to better cultivar choices by farmers and could lead to more targeted perennial ryegrass breeding programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems)
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12 pages, 283 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Tytanit Foliar Application and Different Nitrogen on Fibre Fraction Content and the Feed Value of Festulolium braunii
by Elżbieta Malinowska and Kazimierz Jankowski
Agronomy 2021, 11(8), 1612; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11081612 - 13 Aug 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1687
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Tytanit foliar application, also comparing it with that of nitrogen, on the content of Festulolium braunii fibre fractions, its nutritional value and feed intake. The experiment showed that forage of better [...] Read more.
The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of Tytanit foliar application, also comparing it with that of nitrogen, on the content of Festulolium braunii fibre fractions, its nutritional value and feed intake. The experiment showed that forage of better quality could be obtained by reducing the amounts of traditional nitrogen fertilisers, or excluding them and using a product containing titanium instead. The experiment commenced in the spring of 2014 in the field of the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce. The plant used in the experiment was the Felopa variety of Festulolium braunii. The effects of Tytanit foliar application at a concentration of 0.2% and 1% and of mineral nitrogen at a dose of 80 and 160 kg ha−1 were studied. Festulolium braunii was harvested three times a year in the period 2015–2017. The amounts of NFD, ADF, and ADL in the plant material were determined by near-infrared reflection spectroscopy (NIRS) using the NIRFex N-500. Relative feed value (RFV) and dry matter intake (DMI) were calculated. The higher dose of Tytanit supplied to Festulolium braunii contributed to an increase in NDF and ADF fraction content and a reduction in RFV and ADL fraction and DMI. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems)
13 pages, 450 KiB  
Article
The Impact of Herbage Mass on Perennial Ryegrass Swards in Autumn on Autumn and over Winter Production and Characteristics
by Caitlin Looney, Astrid Wingler and Michael Egan
Agronomy 2021, 11(6), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11061140 - 3 Jun 2021
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2823
Abstract
Accumulating herbage mass to facilitate the extension of the grazing season in autumn is commonly practised. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of accumulating varying target herbage masses (THM) in autumn and imposing different defoliation dates (DD), on [...] Read more.
Accumulating herbage mass to facilitate the extension of the grazing season in autumn is commonly practised. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of accumulating varying target herbage masses (THM) in autumn and imposing different defoliation dates (DD), on herbage mass, sward quality and water-soluble carbohydrates in autumn and the subsequent spring. A 4 × 3 factorial split plot design was assigned with four THM (Low ≈ 500 kg·DM·ha−1, Medium ≈ 1500 kg·DM·ha−1, High ≈ 2000 kg·DM·ha−1 and Very high ≈ 3000 kg·DM·ha−1) and three DD (DD1—15 October, DD2—7 November and DD3—21 November), across two years. Measurements were carried out at each DD and in spring. Differences in sward quality were found between each THM on different DD. Sward quality reduced from DD2 to DD3 in the high THM (−13 g·kg−1 DM CP, p < 0.001). The very high THM had the lowest sward quality from DD1 (206 g·kg−1 DM CP, p < 0.001 and 787 g·kg−1 DM DMD, p < 0.05). This study has identified the defoliation date of THM in autumn as key to improving autumn management strategies for increased utilisation and sward quality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems)
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14 pages, 1172 KiB  
Article
Ranking Species for Veld Restoration in Semi-Arid Regions Using Agronomic, Morphological and Chemical Parameters of Selected Grass Species at Different Developmental Stages under Controlled Environment
by Ntokozo Happy Msiza, Khuliso Emmanuel Ravhuhali, Hilda Kwena Mokoboki, Sydney Mavengahama and Lebogang Ezra Motsei
Agronomy 2021, 11(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010052 - 29 Dec 2020
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4309
Abstract
The establishment of complementary native grass species could be an ideal method of dealing with existing problems of veld degradation and inadequate forage quantity and quality of pastures. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of native grasses viz., Anthephora pubescens, [...] Read more.
The establishment of complementary native grass species could be an ideal method of dealing with existing problems of veld degradation and inadequate forage quantity and quality of pastures. A greenhouse experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of native grasses viz., Anthephora pubescens, Cenchrus ciliaris, Chloris gayana, Dactylis glomerata, Digitaria eriantha, Eragrostis curvula, Festuca arundinacea, Panicum maximum and Themeda triandra. Attributes at different growth stages on agronomy, morphology and chemical composition were checked. Panicum maximum had the broader (p < 0.05) leaves across all growth stages when compared to all other grass species. Festuca arundinacea had highest (p < 0.05) number of tillers than C. ciliaris, C. gayana, D. glomerata, D. eriantha, E. curvula, P. maximum and T. triandra at 2–4-months age. Within each species, all grasses had the highest (p < 0.05) number of leaves at maturity. Chloris gayana, D. glomerata and P. maximum had the highest (p < 0.05) biomass yield when compared to F. arundinacea at the elongation stage. Eragrostis curvula had the highest (p < 0.05) crude protein (CP) values when compared to all other grasses, except for D. glomerata, F. arundinacea and P. maximum at the elongation stage. Panicum maximum and T. triandra had the least (p < 0.05) acid detergent lignin (ADL) values when compared to all other grasses at both vegetative and the elongation stages. In the ranking, C. ciliaris, C. gayana, D. eriantha, E. curvula, P. maximum and A. pubescens outperformed the rest of the grasses on most parameters. With the low crude protein (CP) content of these grasses, protein supplementation is highly crucial for high performing ruminants, especially those animals that graze grasses as their sole diets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Grazing Effects on the Nutritive Value in Grassland Ecosystems)
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