The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics
Autumn grazing management aims to accumulate herbage for defoliation prior to a decrease in growth rates for the extension of the grazing season. The current study investigated the impact of building different target herbage masses (THMs) in autumn and imposing one of three different defoliation dat...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Agronomy |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/148 |
| _version_ | 1797344860293824512 |
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| author | Caitlin Looney Astrid Wingler Daniel Donaghy Michael Egan |
| author_facet | Caitlin Looney Astrid Wingler Daniel Donaghy Michael Egan |
| author_sort | Caitlin Looney |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Autumn grazing management aims to accumulate herbage for defoliation prior to a decrease in growth rates for the extension of the grazing season. The current study investigated the impact of building different target herbage masses (THMs) in autumn and imposing one of three different defoliation dates (DDs) between mid-October and late November on light transmitted to the base of the sward, free leaf lamina (FLL), leaf stage and internode elongation. Four THMs (low, medium, high and very high) and three DDs (DD1—15 October, DD2—7 November and DD3—21 November) were assigned to a 4 × 3 split plot design over two years. Light transmitted to the base of the sward was greatest in the low THM and decreased in all other THMs. Internode elongation increased in tillers in the medium to the very high THMs. Defoliation of the medium, high and, in particular, the very high THMs earlier in autumn reduced the effect of decreased light transmission on internode elongation. This study highlights that, as light transmitted to the base of the sward decreases, internode elongation increases, and this could negatively impact sward structure. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:09:00Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-fe910552b99d4ea19746c353c5f68a40 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4395 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-08T11:09:00Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Agronomy |
| spelling | doaj.art-fe910552b99d4ea19746c353c5f68a402024-01-26T14:26:01ZengMDPI AGAgronomy2073-43952024-01-0114114810.3390/agronomy14010148The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward CharacteristicsCaitlin Looney0Astrid Wingler1Daniel Donaghy2Michael Egan3Teagasc, Animal & Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Moorepark, Fermoy, P61 C996 Cork, IrelandSchool of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, T23 TK30 Cork, IrelandSchool of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North 4442, New ZealandSchool of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, T23 TK30 Cork, IrelandAutumn grazing management aims to accumulate herbage for defoliation prior to a decrease in growth rates for the extension of the grazing season. The current study investigated the impact of building different target herbage masses (THMs) in autumn and imposing one of three different defoliation dates (DDs) between mid-October and late November on light transmitted to the base of the sward, free leaf lamina (FLL), leaf stage and internode elongation. Four THMs (low, medium, high and very high) and three DDs (DD1—15 October, DD2—7 November and DD3—21 November) were assigned to a 4 × 3 split plot design over two years. Light transmitted to the base of the sward was greatest in the low THM and decreased in all other THMs. Internode elongation increased in tillers in the medium to the very high THMs. Defoliation of the medium, high and, in particular, the very high THMs earlier in autumn reduced the effect of decreased light transmission on internode elongation. This study highlights that, as light transmitted to the base of the sward decreases, internode elongation increases, and this could negatively impact sward structure.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/148autumndefoliation datetarget herbage masslight transmissionfree leaf laminainternode elongation |
| spellingShingle | Caitlin Looney Astrid Wingler Daniel Donaghy Michael Egan The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics Agronomy autumn defoliation date target herbage mass light transmission free leaf lamina internode elongation |
| title | The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics |
| title_full | The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics |
| title_short | The Impact of Accumulating Herbage Masses in Autumn on Perennial Ryegrass Sward Characteristics |
| title_sort | impact of accumulating herbage masses in autumn on perennial ryegrass sward characteristics |
| topic | autumn defoliation date target herbage mass light transmission free leaf lamina internode elongation |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4395/14/1/148 |
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