Switchgrass Biomass and Nitrogen Yield with Over-Seeded Cool-season Forages in the Southern Great Plains

Butler, Twain J.; Muir, James P.; Huo, Chengjun; Guretzky, John A.

doi:10.1007/s12155-012-9225-z

Cited by 14 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Overseeding all three CAG species into existing SG produced acceptable yields from the annuals and could improve overall production from a given land area while extending grazing seasons. Yields of CAGs exceeded those of Fribourg and Overton (1973), who reported 2.1, 4.0, and 4.1 Mg ha −1 for rye, ryegrass, and wheat, respectively, and Mason et al (2019) (<1.1 Mg ha −1 ) but were similar to those reported by Beck et al (2007) and Butler et al (2013) at their Oklahoma study site. Variability of CAG yields can be strongly affected by timing and amount of rainfall (McLaughlin et al, 2005;Mullenix & Rouquette, 2018), soil fertility (Butler et al, 2013), or density of the vegetation into which the annuals are being established (Fribourg & Overton, 1973;Mason et al, 2019;Mullenix & Rouquette, 2018).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Overseeding cool‐season annual grasses into dormant lowland switchgrass stands

et al. 2020

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Improved use of the land resource used to grow switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum L.), whether for biomass or forage production, could be achieved by dormant-season overseeding with cool-season annual grasses (CAGs). Cereal rye (Secale cereale L.), ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.), and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) were overseeded into an established, mature stand of lowland ('Alamo') SG for two consecutive years (2010-2011) at a study site located near Greeneville, TN. Three harvest timings were imposed on CAG (15 April, 1 May, and 15 May). Yield of CAG differed (p = 0.001) by year, species (rye = 6.8, ryegrass = 5.0, wheat = 5.1 Mg ha −1), and harvest time (15 April = 2.7, 1 May = 6.5, 15 May = 7.7 Mg ha −1), but these factors did not interact. Switchgrass yield the summer following establishment of CAGs differed (p = .001) by year (11.1 and 14.7 Mg ha −1 , in 2011 and 2012, respectively) but not by CAG species or harvest date. Tiller density of SG followed the same pattern as yield (2011 = 75 m −2 ; 2012 = 147 m −2). Thus, this study provided no evidence that any of the three CAGs, when planted for two consecutive years into dormant SG, regardless of harvest date, had a negative effect on SG yield or stand vigor; therefore, overseeding CAGs may be a practical way for producers to improve land resource use when growing SG. However, evaluation of production costs for CAGs indicated that May harvests would be required for overseeding to be cost-effective.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 67%

Overseeding cool‐season annual grasses into dormant lowland switchgrass stands

et al. 2020

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“…However, clover addition did not significantly reduce warm-season grass production on average, similar to results of Gettle et al (1994). Butler et al (2013) also found that clover addition improved biomass yields overall, but not by stimulating the dominant grass component of the plant community in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. That said, clover may begin to outcompete warm-season grasses over a longer period (Tow Clover addition did not reduce weed pressure during the 2011 establishment year (p = 0.72, Fig.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 65%

“…Significance of fixed effects was tested using likelihood ratio tests as described above for total biomass yields. Butler et al (2013) also found that clover addition improved biomass yields overall, but not by stimulating the dominant grass component of the plant community in southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. The estimated biomass production of the warm-season grasses was not significantly affected by clover addition (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Legume Addition to Perennial Warm‐Season Grass Swards Increases Harvested Biomass

2017

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The adoption of perennial warm‐season grass crops for bioenergy production faces significant social, economic, and agronomic challenges. The inclusion of legumes in warm‐season grass swards may increase productivity, reduce weed pressure and the need for fertilizer inputs, and allow farmers greater management flexibility. The objectives of this study were (i) to evaluate whether the overseeding of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in warm‐season grass swards can improve biomass yields and reduce weed cover, (ii) to determine if biomass yield gains arise from increased N availability or the biomass production of the legume crop, and (iii) to determine whether switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) or big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman.) accessions respond differently to red clover overseeding. Once established, red clover addition increased biomass yields in unfertilized swards to levels equivalent to fertilization with 112 kg N ha−1 and reduced weed cover by 7%. The yield gains with clover addition were consistent irrespective of the warm‐season grass accession tested and were attributable to the production of biomass by the clover. The incorporation of legumes in mixtures with perennial warm‐season grasses can and should play a part in improving the viability of these cropping systems. Future studies should consider alternative planting, harvesting, and weed control in a long‐term experimental framework to refine management of legume and warm‐season grass mixtures.

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“…Despite a consistent approach to clover establishment, stands had low levels of clover the first 2 yr and, at least in the case of BB/IG, excessive levels the third year; the increase in 2012 appeared to be more the result of recruitment than persistence. Butler et al (2013) determined that repeated overseeding with legumes was required in switchgrass to develop adequate plant populations. Establishment of legumes (and more generally, forbs) has been shown to be difficult in established NWSG stands, especially those that are dense (Jung et al, 1985).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, in Texas, lowland SG yield and sward forage quality were improved by overseeding with cool‐season legumes (Bow et al, 2008). In another study conducted in the southern Great Plains, lowland SG yields were not affected by cool‐season legumes, but total sward yield was increased (Butler et al, 2013). Jung et al (1985) overseeded existing upland SG and BB pastures with five legume species and reported good establishment success, especially for RC in stands with <75% grass cover; however, they did not report animal performance or legume impact on forage quality.…”

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confidence: 99%

Forage Attributes and Animal Performance from Native Grass Inter‐Seeded with Red Clover

et al. 2016

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Native warm‐season grasses (NWSG) could provide desirable complementary summer forage for tall fescue [TF; Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] systems, especially for reproductive animals that may be disproportionately affected by TF toxicosis. Inter‐seeding legumes into pastures is a common practice but has received only limited attention for NWSG. Switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum L.) and a big bluestem (BB; Andropogon gerardii Vitman) indiangrass (IG; Sorghastrum nutans Nash) blend (BB/IG), each with and without inter‐seeded red clover (RC; Trifolium pratense L.), were grazed (46–54 and 38–46‐cm canopy heights for SG and BB/IG, respectively) by bred dairy heifers for 3 yr. Establishment of RC was inconsistent leading to limited influence on forage mass, crude protein (CP), and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Similarly, RC had minimal influence on average daily gain (ADG; kg d−1), animal days (AD) ha−1, and total gain (GAIN; kg ha−1). The ADG was 1.03 (SG), 1.23 (SG+RC), 1.25 (BB/IG), and 1.33 (BB/IG+RC) kg d−1 during the early season and 0.36 (SG+RC), 0.37 (SG), 0.54 (BB/IG), and 0.86 (BB/IG+RC) kg d−1 later in the season. Higher stocking was possible with SG (234, 330, and 222 AD ha−1 in 2010, 2011, 2012, respectively) than BB/IG (196, 240, and 162 AD ha−1 in 2010, 2011, 2012, respectively), but total gain (kg ha−1) was not consistently different. Switchgrass and BB/IG both provided acceptable forage quality and good animal performance and could be used for summer forage for bred heifers; RC had limited benefit and competed with NWSG.

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Switchgrass Biomass and Nitrogen Yield with Over-Seeded Cool-season Forages in the Southern Great Plains

Cited by 14 publications

References 18 publications

Overseeding cool‐season annual grasses into dormant lowland switchgrass stands

Overseeding cool‐season annual grasses into dormant lowland switchgrass stands

Legume Addition to Perennial Warm‐Season Grass Swards Increases Harvested Biomass

Forage Attributes and Animal Performance from Native Grass Inter‐Seeded with Red Clover

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