The influence of management on yield and composition of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb)

Author

Kenneth Wayne Bell

Date of Award

3-1981

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Plant, Soil and Environmental Sciences

Major Professor

H.A. Fribourg

Committee Members

John H. Reynolds, Vernon H. Reich, Joseph W. Holloway, J.B. McLaren

Abstract

Because of its extensive use in the southeastern U.S. and previous reports of varying quality during the year, the yield, mineral and chemical composition (acid detergent fiber and cell wall constituents) and in vitro dry matter digestibility (DMD) of Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) grown alone and with ladino clover (Trifolium repens L.) was determined over a two-year period involving various stockpiling management practices at Knoxville and Spring Hill, Tennessee, and at Dover, Delaware. All plots received 560 kg/ha of 0-20-20 on 1 June each year; the fescue growing alone received 56 kg N/ha from 6-12-12 on 1 March and an additional 56 kg N/ha as NH₄NO₃ at the beginning of each stockpiling period. Stockpiling periods began in July, August, September, November, or December and lasted from one to seven months. Frequently clipped plots were used to simulate continuous grazing.

Stockpiling treatments starting in July resulted in the highest yields, followed by those begun in August and September. Stockpiling treatments started after September yielded no appreciable growth during the stockpiling period, but did become green earlier and produced higher yields the following spring.

Nitrogen percentages were generally greater in regrowth than in stockpiled fescue. Varying levels of N, concentration, some of which were occasionally below the crude protein requirement for a dry pregnant beef cow, indicated that animals grazing this forage may need protein supplement.

Peak levels of ADF occurred in January and February at Knoxville and Dover, but those at Dover were generally less than those at Knoxville. Cell wall constituents were greatest in the cooler months. Levels of in vitro DMD were higher in the fall (October) and lowest in the summer (August). Regrowth had a higher level of DMD than stockpiled material cut on the same date.

Mineral composition varied during the growing season and among locations. Fescue from similar treatments was generally lower in P, K, and Mg percentage at Dover than at Knoxville, but Ca levels were generally higher at Dover. Frequent clipping to simulate grazing did not affect mineral or chemical composition.

Stockpiling fescue tended to reduce quality, but stockpiled forage can be useful in a grazing system. Season of growth appeared to have a greater effect on composition than date of start of stockpiling or duration of stockpiling.

Recommended Citation

Bell, Kenneth Wayne, "The influence of management on yield and composition of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb). " PhD diss., University of Tennessee, 1981.
https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_graddiss/7856