Managing interspecies competition to improve spring pasture maturity, nutritive value, and biomass. Issue 2 (15th February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mercier, Kelly M.; Billman, Eric D.; Soder, Kathy J.; Jaramillo, David M.; Goslee, Sarah C.; Adler, Paul R.
• Is Part Of: Crop science. Volume 63:Issue 2(2023)
• Page Start: 974
• Page End: 986
• Publication Date: 2023-02-15
• Subjects: Crop science -- Periodicals; Cultures -- Périodiques; Cultures de plein champ -- Périodiques; Crop science; Nutzpflanzen; Zeitschrift; Pflanzenbau; Periodicals; 633
• DOI: 10.1002/csc2.20892
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0011-183X

Abstract

Abstract: In much of the United States, wet springs often cause poor field conditions leading to harvest and/or grazing delays and subsequent reductions in forage nutritive value. The objective of this study was to compare monocultures and combinations of orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.), chicory ( Cichorium intybus L.), and white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) to determine the effects of interspecies competition on plant maturity, nutritive value, and forage mass over two consecutive springs. It was hypothesized that shade and competition from chicory would delay orchardgrass maturity resulting in greater nutritive value and an extended harvest or grazing window for high‐nutritive value forage. Mixtures containing chicory delayed orchardgrass maturity by at least 9 days in the first spring as compared to orchardgrass monocultures and orchardgrass‐white clover mixtures. Even with decreased chicory mass in the second year (due to drought and winterkill), both 1:1:1 and 4:1:1 (ratio of seeds per hectare) orchardgrass–white clover–chicory mixtures provided greater forage mass and nutritive value (crude protein and net energy) yield over 2 years compared to an orchardgrass monoculture; however, only the 1:1:1 orchardgrass–white clover–chicory mixture provided greater benefits to forage mass and nutritive value yield when compared to orchardgrass–white clover mixtures that are commonly found on farms. This study showed that chicory inclusion provides benefits to orchardgrass and orchardgrass–white clover pastures when planted in appropriate seed proportions; however, increasing chicory longevity will require further investigation to provide continued benefits in perennial cool‐season grass and legume pasture systems. Core Ideas: Chicory (tall‐statured) was used to shade orchardgrass, resulting in delays in orchardgrass maturity during spring. Delaying orchardgrass maturity in the spring can allow for an extended harvest window for high‐quality forage. Most chicory was winterkilled in the first year, likely due to a late fall harvest. Even with low persistence, including chicory in an orchardgrass–white clover mixture provided short‐term benefits. Improving chicory management may lead to greater long‐term benefits.