Morphological Development of Smooth Bromegrass Development in a Semi-arid Region.
(C06-pettijohn144441-oral)
Authors:
M.B. Pettijohn* - Oklahoma State Univ.
D.D. Redfearn - Oklahoma State Univ.
Abstract:
Smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) is well-adapted to the north central USA, but its use as a cool-season, perennial forage for the southern Great Plains is not known. An experiment was
conducted near Marshall, OK in 2002 and 2003 to determine forage yield and quantify morphological development of smooth bromegrass grown on a moderately acidic soil (pH = 5.1). Three lime
treatments were applied in the previous fall and included a control (no lime), applications equivalent to 1.4 Mg ha-1, and 2.8 Mg ha-1 of 95% ECCE lime. Plots were sampled on six dates each during the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons and classified morphologically. Averaged across lime treatment, forage yield averaged 1784 kg ha-1 greater at each harvest date in 2002 than 2003. Application of 2.8 Mg ha-1 of lime increased (P = 0.0109) forage yield 1314 kg ha-1 for the final harvest only. Forage yield was 5967 kg ha-1 compared with 4654 kg ha-1 for the average of control and 1.4 Mg ha-1 lime treatment. Lime application had no effect on the morphological development of smooth bromegrass.
Mean stage count (MSC) for the first three harvest dates was not different among years. However, MSC during 2002 was approximately one-half of a primary growth stage greater for each of the last three harvest dates. Application of lime to increase soil pH of moderately low pH soils did not increase forage yield or alter morphological development of established smooth bromegrass stands.
Speaker Information: Michael Pettijohn, Oklahoma State Univ., Oklahoma State UniversityDept. of Plant and Soil, Stillwater, OK 74078; Phone: (405) 744-9648; E-mail: [email protected]
Session Information: Wednesday, November 5, 2003, 12:55 PM-3:00 PM Presentation Start: 1:45 PM
Keywords: cool-season; forage production; morphological development; nutritive value
