Yield, nutrient composition, and horse condition in integrated crabgrass and cool-season grass rotational grazing pasture systems

Weinert-Nelson, Jennifer R; Meyer, William A.; Williams, Carey A.

doi:10.1093/tas/txab208

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…Groups of fibrolytic and butyrate-producing bacteria were differentially abundant across C–W transitions while separate and distinct groups containing ASV assigned to similar taxa and/or taxa with similar ascribed functions varied over the W–C transitions, suggesting functional redundancy and further reinforcing the overall stability of microbial communities during changes in pasture forages. While no differences were found in fecal pH, which is often cited as an indicator of bacterial activity in the hindgut [ 7 , 91 , 92 ], analyses of metabolites such as lactate and short-chain fatty acids or culture-based assays of functional communities (i.e. cellulytics, amylolytics, lactate-utilizers, etc.)…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Conversely, due to differences in photosynthetic mechanisms, warm-season grasses are most vigorous during this same “summer slump” period, when cool-season grasses are semi-dormant [ 2 – 4 ]. Thus, an integrated rotational grazing system that incorporates both warm- and cool-season grasses can increase pasture yield throughout this period of the growing season [ 5 – 7 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems

2022

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Background Diet is a key driver of equine hindgut microbial community structure and composition. The aim of this study was to characterize shifts in the fecal microbiota of grazing horses during transitions between forage types within integrated warm- (WSG) and cool-season grass (CSG) rotational grazing systems (IRS). Eight mares were randomly assigned to two IRS containing mixed cool-season grass and one of two warm-season grasses: bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] or crabgrass [Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.]. Fecal samples were collected during transitions from CSG to WSG pasture sections (C–W) and WSG to CSG (W–C) on days 0, 2, 4, and 6 following pasture rotation and compared using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results Regardless of IRS or transition (C–W vs. W–C), species richness was greater on day 4 and 6 in comparison to day 0 (P < 0.05). Evenness, however, did not differ by day. Weighted UniFrac also did not differ by day, and the most influential factor impacting β-diversity was the individual horse (R2 ≥ 0.24; P = 0.0001). Random forest modeling was unable to accurately predict days within C–W and W–C, but could predict the individual horse based on microbial composition (accuracy: 0.92 ± 0.05). Only three differentially abundant bacterial co-abundance groups (BCG) were identified across days within all C–W and W–C for both IRS (W ≥ 126). The BCG differing by day for all transitions included amplicon sequence variants (ASV) assigned to bacterial groups with known fibrolytic and butyrate-producing functions including members of Lachnospiraceae, Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Anaerovorax the NK4A214 group of Oscillospiraceae, and Sarcina maxima. In comparison, 38 BCG were identified as differentially abundant by horse (W ≥ 704). The ASV in these groups were most commonly assigned to genera associated with degradation of structural carbohydrates included Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Treponema, Christensenellaceae R-7 group, and the NK4A214 group of Oscillospiraceae. Fecal pH also did not differ by day. Conclusions Overall, these results demonstrated a strong influence of individual horse on the fecal microbial community, particularly on the specific composition of fiber-degraders. The equine fecal microbiota were largely stable across transitions between forages within IRS suggesting that the equine gut microbiota adjusted at the individual level to the subtle dietary changes imposed by these transitions. This adaptive capacity indicates that horses can be managed in IRS without inducing gastrointestinal dysfunction.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems

2022

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“…Farmers prefer to give cattle soft‐leaved varieties such as D. sanguinalis , which was considered as one of the best fodder plants in the southern United States (Vilmorin, 1914). Recently, improved forage varieties of D. sanguinalis are qualified as a viable summer grazing option in New Jersey because the accumulation of toxic levels of nitrates is rare (Weinert‐Nelson et al, 2021, 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recently, improved forage varieties of D. sanguinalis are qualified as a viable summer grazing option in New Jersey because the accumulation of toxic levels of nitrates is rare (Weinert-Nelson et al, 2021, 2022.…”

Section: Farmers' Perception Of Poaceae Weedsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Local perceptions of the benefits versus negative impacts of weedy grasses in central Madagascar, with a focus on the genus Digitaria

Randrianarimanana,

Rakotomalala,

MacKinnon

et al. 2024

Plants People Planet

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Societal Impact StatementPlants and agricultural practices are an integral part of human food systems and well‐being. Here, an example of an ethnobotanical research approach is provided to increase our understanding of the relationship between plants and human activities in Madagascar, where the agricultural sector is the local economy basis. This research examines weeds of the Poaceae family, assessing their recognition and societal impacts, and quantifying farmers' perception of the Poaceae weed's status in cropping systems. A better understanding of farmers' weed knowledge will strengthen our ability to inclusively support rural highland Malagasy food systems, incorporating science with traditional knowledge.Summary Research on the perceptions and knowledge of Poaceae weeds was conducted in three areas of Madagascar's central highlands: Itremo massif, Ambohidray village and Vakinankaratra region. This work aims to identify the best‐known species and understand their roles in crop and livestock systems. Additionally, it presents detailed data on Digitaria species. The approach was based on field surveys and farmer's interviews, with plant voucher specimens and photographs to facilitate identification. Relative frequency of citations, confidence interval, and use values indexes were calculated to assess cultural significance. We carried out 111 interviews, where 87 taxa were mentioned, of which 51 are Poaceae, including 11 Digitaria species. Farmers classify the Poaceae weeds in three ways: their impacts on agricultural activities, use category and vegetative growth patterns, the latter especially significant for Digitaria. Locally common grasses are perceived as weeds when they are abundant and cause yield loss. The most damaging species is Digitaria humbertii, confirmed by half of the interviews. More than 40% of the farmers use Poaceae weeds in composting, more than 20% as fodder, and more than 8% as medicine. Overall, 67% of the species mentioned are judged useful. The diversity of useful species and the associated indigenous knowledge is important to the local communities, but, weeds are still perceived as negative generally. The Poaceae are overall neglected in Malagasy ethnobotany, and an in‐depth analysis of farmer knowledge is needed. The data obtained will be useful for future studies and the conservation of agrobiodiversity, especially endemic species that are not widely known.

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Inclusion of cool‐ and warm‐season species in tall fescue swards for increased productivity

Corbin,

Nave,

Naumann

et al. 2024

Agronomy Journal

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Pasture systems that include cool‐ and warm‐season species have the potential to enhance tall fescue (TF) [Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.] forage systems beyond their typical season. The objectives of this study were to incorporate crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris Retz.) into TF swards and compare the production of monoculture TF to a binary mixture of crabgrass and TF as well as its effect with different sources of nitrogen (such as red clover [Trifolium pratense L.] or sunn hemp [Crotalaria juncea L.]). The experiment was conducted in Crossville, TN, in 2020 and 2021. The treatments were as follows: (1) TF + 0 N (T), (2) TF + ammonium nitrate (TA), (3) TF + red clover (TR), (4) TF + sunn hemp (TS), (5) TF + crabgrass + 0 N (TFC), (6) TF + crabgrass + ammonium nitrate (TCA), (7) TF + crabgrass + red clover (TCR), and (8) TF + crabgrass + sunn hemp (TCS). The plots containing red clover indicated a greater herbage mass (HM) and crude protein (CP) along with lesser neutral detergent fiber compared to the other treatments. Sunn hemp performed best during the mid‐summer, contributing to the increase of HM. Tall fescue swards that were mixed with crabgrass and a source of N (legumes or N fertilizer) had greater HM during the warm season, having the potential to decrease the stationarity of production. Thus, including crabgrass, red clover, and sunn hemp (grass and legumes, respectively) in TF pasture can be a great strategy to increase HM and improve nutritive value.

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Yield, nutrient composition, and horse condition in integrated crabgrass and cool-season grass rotational grazing pasture systems

Cited by 9 publications

References 54 publications

Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems

Fecal microbiome of horses transitioning between warm-season and cool-season grass pasture within integrated rotational grazing systems

Local perceptions of the benefits versus negative impacts of weedy grasses in central Madagascar, with a focus on the genus Digitaria

Inclusion of cool‐ and warm‐season species in tall fescue swards for increased productivity

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