BULLETIN 397 JANUARY 1970 ;;i:; F; 19L' Djqp ~ ~. " :I i.- ?'-i _-i COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES FOR FORAGE IN ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION AUBURN E. V. Smith, Director UNIVERSITY Auburn, Alabama (+. CONTENTS Page DESCRIPTION OF GRASSES ------------------4 Tall Fescu e -- - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - Orchard grass --- - -- -- ------ - - ------- ----- -- -- --Reed Canarygrass --- --- --- ----- --- --- -- -- - --Other Phalaris Species------------ -Smooth Brom egrass---------------------Kentucky Bluegrass ---------------------8 Perennial Ryegrass -- - -- - --- - -- - -- - - - - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 7 8 Tim th y o --- - - - - --- - - - - - - - - -- - -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- -- 8-- EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS ---------------- ---- -9 Prelim inary Tests - - - - - -- - -- - -- - - - - -- - - - - - 9 ------10 Species Comparisons ----------Tall Fescue Varieties ---- ---- ---- -- ---12 Orchardgrass Varieties------ --- - --14 -15 Phalaris Species -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- - - --- -18 -- -- -- -Grass-Legume Mixtures--C ON CL U SIO NS - - - - - - - - - - - - - - --- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -20 ACKNOWLEDGMENT Some of the data reported in this publication were collected by W. R. Langford, formerly of the Department of Agronomy and Soils. Other project leaders who actively cooperated in some of the experimental work were E. D. Donnelly and E. L. Carden, Department of Agronomy and Soils, and R. M. Patterson, R. Hicks, W. Ansley, R. A. Burdett, Jr., 0. N. Andrews, Jr., H. L. Webster, and E. B. Mikkelsen, formerly of the Department; and W. B. Anthony, Department of Animal Science. The assistance of J. K. Boseck and W. B. Webster, Tennessee Valley Substation; F. T. Glaze, Prattville Experiment Field (formerly at Alexandria Field); J. W. Langford, Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee; L. A. Smith and H. W. Grimes, Black Belt Substation; F. E. Bertram, Tuskegee Experiment Field (retired); J. W. Richardson, Brewton and Monroeville experiment fields (retired) ; V. L. Brown and W. J. Watson, Lower Coastal Plain Substation; and H. F. Yates and J. E. Barrett, Jr., Gulf Coast Substation, is gratefully acknowledged. FIRST PRINTING 4M, JANUARY 1970 Cool Season Perennial Grass Species for Forage in Alabama C. S. HOVELAND, Professor of Agronomy and Soils E. M. EVANS, Associate Professor of Agronomy and Soils D. A. MAYS, Tennessee Valley Authority SEASON PERENNIAL grasses are grown in Alabama to furnish grazing in winter and early spring when warm season perennial species like bermuda, bahia, and dallisgrass are dormant and unproductive. Although less productive in midwinter than rye or wheat on prepared land, cool season perennial grasses have several desirable features: -(1) cheap to grow since they do not have to be ,established annually, (2) dense sod to resist punching by cattle hooves under wet conditions, and (3) permanent sod to prevent erosion on slopes. Alabama cattlemen have been planting more cool season perennial grasses in recent years to furnish grazing mainly for beef brood cow herds. At present there are over 770,000 acres of tall fescue and 25,000 acres of orchardgrass in Alabama. Although winter carrying capacity of presently available grasses is not high, these grasses may eliminate or sharply reduce winter hay feeding. Growing of cool season perennial grasses in central and southern Alabama may be difficult because of lack of adapted varieties. Hot and wet summer periods, late spring and autumn droughts, insects and diseases, and severe competition by summer pasture grasses and weeds all create problems not encountered in cool season perennial grass areas farther north in the United States. All present varieties were selected or bred in these northern areas where a prime consideration is winter survival. These varieties are generally winter dormant in Alabama, making little or no growth during the season when forage is badly needed and when soil moisture and temperatures may be favorable for growth. COOL 4 A L A A MAAA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION This pi lhlication summifarizcs researcht ini Alah anma ott adap~tation of cool Seatson perenniial grasses. Resuliits 1(e)portedl are leasedl on ol,5ervXatioiial gmass lniseries diiring 1951-.54 and forage .\ie(I( trials frot 19.55 to 1969. Thbe \ jeld trials wcrc cuctted at 12 locations, uising~ 52(0-loot 1)lots replicated four times, and~ cl ipped at 4- to S XXeek in ters als XXc~ 1f1orage «- as aX ailal)le. liarf ('stiiI( wXas clone usingj a sieklebar it owXer or a flail hlamXster. 1 hjgrllre 1. (;Url)(tlX no( harvcsts \xr madc dltl Iining! miidsummtiter. imlue, phosphtorous, andl potassiumll XXere aplied accordling to soil ju tests. N itro gen rates x ariedl f rom 80 to 2(00 p)oundsl per aere atnitnall\., depetdiitg oin location . No irrigation wvas used. All lorage ieldls are rejported as oX (It dIry 6orage per acre. OF GRASSES DESCRIPTION Toll Fescue vas in~trodlted~ I X) ront Lliope rr a eei tltrX ago) hilt reeeiX ((1 little atteintioin as a pasture grass unotil the 19.;3) Iblis long liXc s. Ulililelh grass has Shiou, dark green. ibbed leaX (5. and~ folios a (]aits(e Sod after thle first X a.Secdstalks Ire 2 to 4 feet tall. .\eeuiou atecl 'frill / IldinlO((0 (IX ilntoi Icsce i l '1((1 I uc the Uitel States FIG. 1. Cool season perennial grass plats were h~arvested with this flail harvester, and forage from each plot was weighed for yield comparisons. COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 5 foliage tolerates more cold than other grasses with less destruction of leaves. Summer survival of tall fescue in Alabama is better than other cool season perennial grasses. It is well adapted to wet soils and areas subject to flooding. Leaves become tough and much less palatable to livestock in late spring and summer. In central and southern Alabama the plants may make little or no growth in summer. Intermediate white or ladino clovers are often planted with tall fescue but it is difficult to maintain clover stands longer than 2 to 3 years. Cattle grazing tall fescue over extended periods without feed supplements sometime develop a physiological disorder known as "fescue foot." The occurrence and severity of the disorder is greater in states north of Alabama. Poor animal performance may occur without obvious symptoms. Concentration of the alkaloid suspected of causing the toxicity is lower in more mature forage and in Goar or Alta varieties than in Kentucky 31 or Kenwell.' Varieties are as follows: 1. Alta - developed by the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1940; recommended in Alabama. 2. Goar - plant introduction from Hungary reselected at California Agricultural Experiment Station and released in 1946; recommended in Alabama. 3. Kentucky 31 - seed increase by Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station in 1931 from pasture on William Suiter farm dating back to 1887; recommended in Alabama. 4. Kenwell - selected for improved palatability and disease resistance and released by Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station in 1965. Orchardgrass Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata), called cocksfoot in its native Europe, was introduced into Virginia in 1760. It is a bunch grass with dense, folded, dull green leaf blades. The clustered heads are borne on seedstalks 18 to 40 inches tall. Orchardgrass is more difficult to grow than tall fescue. It requires high soil fertility and good soil moisture, but does not tolerate poor drainage. Forage quality is high and no toxicity problems are encountered as with tall fescue. White clover persists well in association 'GENTRY, C. E., R. A. CHAPMAN, L. HENSON, AND R. C. BUCKNER. 1969. Factors Affecting the Alkaloid Content of Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Agron. J. 61:313-316. 6 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION with the less aggressive orchardgrass. Varieties include the following: 1. Akaroa - a late-maturing plant introduction from New Zealand, released in 1953 by the California Agricultural Experiment Station and the Soil Conservation Service. 2. Boone - bred for high yield and persistence, released in 1961 by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station; recommended in Alabama. 3. Jackson - a late-maturing variety bred for higher production, released in 1969 by the Virginia Agricultural Experiment Station. 4. Latar - selection of a late-maturing plant introduction from the Soviet Union, released in 1957 by the Washington Agricultural Experiment Station and the Soil Conservation Service. 5. Masshardy - selection from a Finnish variety, released by the Massachusetts Agricultural Experiment Station. 6. Palestine - increase of plant introduction from Palestine by the California Agricultural Experiment Station. 7. Pennlate - a late-maturing variety bred from Finnish and Swedish introductions at the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, released in 1957. 8. Pennmead - an earlier maturing variety than Pennlate, released in 1963 by the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station from plants collected in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Denmark. 9. Potomac - mass selection variety from persistent plants collected in old pastures of Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania, released in 1954 by Crops Research Division, A.R.S., USDA; recommended in Alabama. 10. Sterling - synthetic variety developed for winter hardiness and high seed yields from plants collected in central Iowa, released in 1960 by the Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station. Reed Canarygrass Reed canary (Phalarisarundinacea)is a native of North America as well as other continents. A coarse bunch grass 2 to 6 feet tall with stout leafy stems, its leaves are wide, smooth, and light green in color. It spreads by short, scaly, underground rootstocks. The seed, gray to black-brown in color, mature from the top of the seedhead downward and shatter easily after ripening. Seedlings are very weak and stand establishment is slow and uncertain. Once established, it is vigorous and competes well with other COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 7 species. It is well adapted to very wet conditions and makes good fall and late spring growth. Low palatability may be a problem. Varieties are as follows: 1. Auburn - selection from highly persistent plants of local and introduced strains, released by Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station in 1952. 2. Ioreed - synthetic variety developed for high forage and seed yields by Iowa Agricultural Experiment Station, released in 1946. Other Phalaris Species Native to the Mediterranean area, these grasses are now classified as Phalarisaquatica. In the past they were known as hardinggrass (Phalaris tuberosa var. stenoptera) and koleagrass (Phalaris tuberosa var. hirtiglumis) 2. Hardinggrass, a native of North Africa, is a bunchgrass growing 2 to 4 feet tall. It resembles reed canary but has a more compact seedhead and is more palatable to livestock. Hardinggrass is a seed increase by the Soil Conservation Service from plants in an old pasture in California, the original seed coming from Australia. The variety was certified by the California Crop Improvement Association in 1946. Kolea is an increase by the California Agricultural Experiment Station of a plant introduction from Morocco. It resembles hardinggrass, but has round bulblike enlargements at base of the plant. The Soil Conservation Service in California increased another plant introduction (P.I. 202480) similar to koleagrass, and named it Perla. This extremely vigorous plant resembles hardinggrass, but has better seedling vigor and more winter forage production. Successful production of this grass in Alabama requires especially good management. Ronphagrass, a sterile hybrid of hardinggrass and reed canary, was developed in South Africa. It is a vigorous grass having the high winter production of hardinggrass and the low palatability of reed canarygrass. Smooth Bromegrass Smooth brome (Bromus inermis) was introduced from Hungary in 1884. It is a sod-forming grass with fiat smooth leaves 2 HANSON, A. A. 1965. Grass Varieties in the United States. Agriculture Handbook No. 170. A.R.S., USDA, Washington, D.C. 8 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION that spread by underground rhizomes. The light chaffy seeds are borne in open panicles on seedstalks 2 to 4 feet tall. Smooth brome requires well-drained soils of high fertility. Severe leaf diseases often occur on smooth brome in Alabama. Varieties are listed below: 1. Achenbach - selected from a Kansas field dating back to 1895. 2. Lincoln - a local selection released by the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station in 1942. 3. Manchar - selection from a Chinese plant introduction, released by the Soil Conservation Service and Idaho and Washington agricultural experiment stations in 1946. 4. Southland - a synthetic variety developed for higher yield and leaf disease resistance, released by the Oklahoma Agricultural Experiment Station in 1953. Kentucky Bluegrass Brought from Europe with the early colonists, Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) is one of the most widely distributed grasses in the United States. It spreads slowly by short rhizomes, forming a dense sod of basal leaves that seldom grow over 8 to 10 inches high. Seedstalks reach a height of 18 to 24 inches. This palatable grass tolerates close grazing better than many other pasture grasses. Perennial Ryegrass A native of Europe, perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) closely resembles Italian or annual ryegrass, having glossy dark green foliage. Plants of perennial ryegrass are reddish at the base, in contrast to the yellow-green of Italian ryegrass. In Alabama it does not act as a perennial, rarely surviving to the second year, and makes less winter growth and total yield than Italian ryegrass. Timothy Timothy (Phleum pratense) is one of the major hay and pasture grasses of the northern United States. Native to northern Europe, it is a bunch grass that produces a dense, spikelike flowering head and an enlarged corm at the stem base. It does not tolerate extended drought or high temperatures. The variety Clair is a naturalized, early-maturing farm strain with good recovery growth. It was released by the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station in 1958. COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 9 EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS Preliminary Tests Varieties of cool season perennial grasses were planted in nursery rows at 10 locations in Alabama during the fall of 1951. Observational rows were replicated twice at each location and clipped monthly during the growing season over a 3-year period. Survival after 3 years is recorded in Table 1. TABLE 1. SURVIVAL OF ROD-ROWS OF COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASSES AFTER 3 YEARS WHEN MOWED MONTHLY DURING GROWING SEASON, 10 LOCATIoNS, 1951-54 Grass variety Stand at end of 3 years Northern Central Southern Alabama' Alabama 2 Alabama 3 Pct. Pct. Pct. 78 68 ORCHARDGRASS Akaroa ----------------------------- ----Av on .-------- --------- --------------------- 56 0 30 0 Comm ercial----------------------92 44 0 Latar ------------- ------------- ------ -------45 42 0 Palestine------------------------68 64 0 Potomac-------------------- ----- -------91 60 0 W isconsin 52 ------------------------------------80 30 0 AVERAGE ---------------------------------------74 46 0 TALL FESCUE Alta .---- ---------------------------------100 99 83 Go ar ------------------------- -----------------------100 96 82 K entucky 31 -----------------------------------100 100 82 AVERAGE-----------------------------------100 98 82 REED CANARYGRASS Aubumn.---------------------Commercial-------------------boreed ------------------- ---AVERAGE-------------------- 92 70 27 93 66 7-1 83 40 55 63 37 93 77 5 72 59 3 40 PERENNIAL RYEGRAS Comm ercial--------------------KENTUCKY BLUEGRASS Commercial -------------------SMOOTH BROMEGRASS Achenbach-------- Lincoln.------------ -------------------- --M anchar---------------------AVERAGE--------------------1'Upper 84 57 42 Southland --------------------- 82 78 83 82 61 24 60 50 33 30 57 40 Substation. 2 Plant Breeding Unit, Prattville Experiment Field, Agronomy Farm, Auburn, and Tuskegee Experiment Field. 3Wiregrass Substation, Brewton Experiment Field, and Gulf Coast Substation. Coastal Plain Substation, Tennessee Valley Substation, and Piedmont 10 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Cool season grasses performed better in northern Alabama and in the Piedmont area than in other parts of the State. Higher elevation and soil conditions make the Piedmont area more like northern than central Alabama. Certain varieties of orchardgrass, tall fescue, bromegrass, and reed canarygrass were quite vigorous in northern Alabama. Ioreed reed canary persistence was poor at two northern Alabama locations. The Auburn strain of reed canarygrass was somewhat more productive than other species during the fall. Bromegrass was less vigorous than other leading species during winter and early spring. Leaf diseases were severe on bromegrass. Although Kentucky bluegrass persisted well, it was less productive than the best strains of tall fescue, orchardgrass, or reed canarygrass. Tall fescue persisted better than other cool season species in central Alabama, but surviving plants of Auburn reed canarygrass appeared more vigorous. Although the performance of each cool season species was poorer in central than in northern Alabama, orchardgrass and Kentucky bluegrass showed the greatest decline in survival and growth. Orchardgrass stands deteriorated rapidly under mowing in central Alabama. Tall fescue and Auburn reed canary were the only grasses that persisted satisfactorily under mowing at the Gulf Coast Substation. Only tall fescue and Auburn reed canarygrass survived more than 1 year on sandy soil at Brewton. Species Comparisons Cool season perennial grasses are generally best adapted to northern Alabama, so yield trials were conducted in this area. Total annual yields of 212 to 4 tons per acre dry forage were obtained from the most productive grasses, with tall fescue being the highest producer, Table 2. Next highest yielder was orchardgrass, but it had yields reduced to a greater extent on droughty soils. At the Tennessee Valley Substation on droughty Humphries silt loam, orchardgrass yielded only 67 per cent as much forage as tall fescue over a 3-year period. On Dewey clay loam, however, it yielded only slightly less than tall fescue. Late winter and early spring production of tall fescue was generally greater than for orchardgrass. Total yields of smooth brome and reed canary were approximately the same as tall fescue on Dewey clay loam and much lower on Humphries silt loam. Late winter and spring production of brome was approximately the same as orchardgrass COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 11 COOL S;EASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECI~ES TABLE 2. FOBAGE YIELDS OF COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASSES, FIVE LOCATIONS, NORTHERN ALABAMA 1 Grass TVA, Muscle Shoals, Sango sil' Per acre yield of dry forage Tennessee Valley Sub. Mexandria Piedmont Field, Substation, Dewey Humphries Taft sil Louisa ci ci sil Win- TotalWin- Total Win- Total Win- Total Win- To ter Lb. Kentucky 31 tall fescue-----------------Commercial orchard--------------Southland smooth brom e-----------------Auburn reed canary----------------Kentucky bluegrass _-_-----__ Lb. ter Lb. Lb. ter Lb. Lb. ter Lb. Lb. ter Lb. Lb. 2,570 6,700 3,190 7,320 3,460 8,040 1,000 5,420 1,060 4,450 3,020 6,750 2,440 6,480 2,380 5,400 1,223 4,380 ------------- 880 3,250 -------- 2,270 6,420 2,140 4,880 -------- 2,600 6,400 1,490 4,780 -------- 690 3,280 730 2,420 1,100 4,020 1,340 3,260 - --- Clair tim othy---------- 3,130 4,780 H ardinggrass-------- -- -- ---------810 3,990 1964-68 -------- Years of test 1964-68 1955-58 Nitrogen/acre/yr. 200 lb. 160 lb. Winter period -:------ Jan-midJan.-late Apr. Apr. 1 Abbreviations: ----------sil = ---- 1955-58 160 lb. Jan-midApr. 1955-58 150 lb. Jan-early 150 lb. Jan-late Apr. Mar. silt loam; ci = clay loam. on both soils. Reed canary produced less than tall fescue in late winter and early spring on both soils. Kentucky bluegrass was unsatisfactory. It made less total and late winter-spring production than other grasses on both soils at the Tennessee Valley Substation. At the Piedmont Substation, bluegrass yields declined each year of the test, finishing with a 3-year average yield about half that of tall fescue. Timothy was grown only at Muscle Shoals. Even with excellent soil moisture conditions and high fertility, timothy stands declined each year of the test and yield dropped to one-third that of tall fescue by the third year. Hardinggrass and Koleagrass were planted at Muscle Shoals but stands winterkilled the first year. At Alexandria, hardinggrass yields equalled or exceeded those of orchardgrass the second and third years, but were less over a 4-year period. Since the preliminary nursery tests indicated that only tall fescue and Phalaris species survived satisfactorily in central and southern Alabama, only these grasses were included in yield trials in that area. 12 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION Tall Fescue Varieties Tall fescue is the only cool season perennial grass adapted over the entire State. At present, Kentucky 31 makes up virtually all the fescue acreage although there has been a recent increase in plantings of the Goar variety. In these tests, tall fescue annual yields ranged from 1 to over 31/2 tons per acre of dry forage, Table 3. Yields were generally highest in northern Alabama, although droughty soils like the Decatur clay at Alexandria yielded as low or lower than in southern Alabama. Very low production was obtained on Boswell loam and Eutaw clay in the Black Belt area. Yields of only 11/4 tons per acre were made on Magnolia fine sandy loam and Marlboro fine sandy loam in southern Alabama. Total annual forage yields of Kentucky 31, Goar, and Alta were similar, but Kenwell was slightly less productive. However, production in the critical winter and early spring period is more important than total annual yield in evaluating tall fescue varieties. The Goar variety made the most winter and early spring growth, 22 to 90 per cent more than Kentucky 31, Table 3 and Figure 2. Winter-early spring production of Alta is slightly higher than Kentucky 31, but much less than that of Goar, Table 3. Kenwell growth at this season is slightly less than Kentucky 31, making it undesirable for planting in Alabama. Some diseases are found on tall fescue in Alabama. In late spring it is common to find considerable leaf spot (HelminthospoOven dry forage pounds per acre © Goar toll fescue KY Kentucky 31 tall fescue Koleagrass 2,000 7Ir ,, ., ,0poo00 G Auburn reed canarygrass 5 .1 FIG. 2. Seasonal forage distribution of four grasses during the cool season at the Plant Breeding Unit, Tallassee, is shown for the 1966-67 test year. All grasses in the plots were clipped in mid-September and the residues discarded. 0 0 TABLE 3. FORAGE PRODUCTION OF TALL FESCUE VARIETIES, 10 ALABAMA LOCATIONS 0 m Location and soil type Years Nitrogen per acre per year Lb. period d Per acre yield of dry forage Goar Kentucky 31 Alta Kenwell Winter Total Winter Total Winter Total Winter Total Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. 3,220 7,710 2,570 1,020 z r Northern Alabama TVA, Muscle Shoals, Sango silt loam 1964-68 1--------------200 Jan.-late Apr. Tennessee Valley Substation, Decatur clay 1963-67 120 Jan.-mid-Apr. Alexandria'Exp. Field, Decatur clay 1960-63 120 Jan.-early Apr. Alexandria Exp. Field, Taft silt loam - ---------------1964-68 150 Jan.-early Apr. Central Alabama Tuskegee Exp. Field, 6,700 5,150 2,830 1,110 1,150 7,080 4,970 2,930 2,120 960 5,870 4,430 CA) ---------------------4,810 1,380 1,510 740 1,230 ----------------------------- 2,760 1,800 3,540 950 5,520 3,230 5,620 1,000 5,420 rn 177 Boswell loam__.__________. Plant Breeding Unit, Eutaw clay_____-____________ Southern Alabama Monroeville Exp. Field, Magnolia sandy loam.--Brewton Exp. Field, 1963-66 1964-68 120 160 Jan.-Mar. Nov-Feb. 250 890 3,470 4,800 620 3,400 180 2,940 Black Belt Substation, Cahaba fine sandy loam.---- ______________---- 1963-67 1963-65 100 80 160 Jan.-Mar. Jan.-early Mar. Nov-Feb. 650 1,300 1,280 3,040 2,670 4,970 440 840 990 3,500 2,490 4,740 490 3,180 1,170 2,660 _____ 480 730 _____- 3,160 2,000 fine Gulf Coast Substation, loam---Marlboro fine sandy Kalmia fine sandy loam -----1967-69 1967-68 ----- 160 Jan.-Mar. 840 2,320 580 2,600 __________________ .. 14 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION rium sp.) and rust (Pucciniasp.) on the Goar variety. Other varieties are affected to only a limited extent. The diseases appear to be more serious in southern than in northern Alabama. Since the forage is generally not affected until late spring and summer, seriousness of the disease remains in question. Forage yields of Goar have been high and stands have not been affected, but it is likely that quality is reduced by the diseases. Breeding is now underway at the Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station to incorporate disease resistance in Goar. Orchardgrass Varieties Since orchardgrass has not been successful in central and southern areas of the State, variety trials were restricted to three northern Alabama locations, Table 4. Boone was generally the highest yielding variety, although Potomac, Pennmead, and Jackson were only slightly less productive. Commercial seed performed well in the tests but this type may vary considerably, depending on origin of seed. Boone and Potomac made slightly more early spring growth than other varieties. Several varieties, such as Sterling, Akaroa, Pennlate, Latar, and Masshardy, were highly winter dormant and made little spring growth. The poor spring growth of Masshardy is contrasted with Boone in Figure 3. Winter dormant types proTABLE 4. FORAGE YIELDS OF ORCHARDGRASS VARIETIES, THREE NORTHERN ALABAMA LOCATIONS Per acre yield of dry forage TVA, Muscle Tenn. Valle Sub Alexandria Exp. Variety Shoals, Sango Teey cla loa" Field, Taft silt silt loam loam Winter Total Winter Total Winter Total Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Lb. Boone 2,910 6,970 1,330 4,640 1,150 4,650 Potomac --------------- 3,490 6,430 1,310 4,490 1,060 3,780 Pennmead ---1,190 4,470 Commercial 3,020 6,750 1,160 4,370 1,220 4,380 Jackson 2,540 6,740 -1,000 4,600 ---- Sterling -- -- 890 Akaroa -Pennlate---............ Latar--............... Masshardy---Years of test..----------Nitrogen/acre/year --Winter period 1964-68 200 lb. Jan.-May 1 4,240- --- 660 610 480 240 3,6604,0503,370 2,500--1964-68 150 lb. Jan.-early Apr. 1961-64 160 lb. Jan.-mid-Apr. COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 15 I~m IB FIG. 3. This April 12 photograph at the Tennessee Volley Substation, Belle Mina, compares early spring growth of adopted and nan-adapted varieties of orchardgrass. Boone variety is at left and Masshardy variety at right. ducle little tuttil \Ia\ tatrd gr owth. atldIJulie wheni high teilperattires uoa\ re- Phtalaris Species Thei ne((d for adapted cool seasi peena grasses ill c('ntral and southlernl Alab~ama has (ticoltrag((l r(5search \ itil (\otic species. The c\eellcn(t persisten ce of reed can ary in this area suggested that relatedl Pha/otis species Siiot ild b~e triedl. Ox ('V 16(0t p~lanlt ititrodutctionls of J'It(Il(Iis ttberosU. Itlaitl\x from tihe \teditclraneati atrea, lax e beeti tested. Althoughl tati of these grasses arc like commtetcial harditiggratss attd di) not persist xxl (11 (T a tlltvtler of x ears, sonec shtow promtuse. Total annetal forage x ield of the IP~hlari species in central and~ sotuthern Alabata Wis e(lal or stiperior to that of tall f esctue, Ta\Vitlh Ia\orale ttoistt re attid high tates (of tnittoget bles :3and .5. (0 ieldls I iav c reaclhed (160 hotuttds per ace N ), PhaItlaris to l)(ros :to ox er 4 totns per acre sotmte \ cars. W\ith low er rates of n itroget, TABLE 5. FORAGE YIELD OF PhalarisSPECIES, CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN ALABAMA Per acre yield of dry forage Grass Plant Breeding Unit, Cahaba fine sandy loam Winter Lb. Kolea Harding Auburn reed canary Ronpha Tuskegee Field, Boswell loam Total Lb. Winter Lb. 340 270 120 Black SubstatBelt Eutawcon, utawsandy Winter Lb. 430 400 380 Brewton Exp. Field, Kalmialoam fine Winter Lb. 2,540 1,290 Total Lb. 4,9251 4,010 Gulf Coast Substation, Marlboro fine sandy loam Winter Lb. 2,820 1,840 Total Lb. 4,690& 4,510 Total Lb. 4,080 4,230 2,990 4,730 Winter Lb. 1,650 1,250 750 - Total Lb. 2,740 2,670 2,250 Total Lb. 2,080 2,340 8,350---- 1,380 920 450 1,170 4,700 4,740 5,120 c C Years of test-----Nitrogen/acre/yr. Winter period--.. 1959-62 160 lb. Dec.-Feb. 1963-68 160 lb. Nov.-Feb. 1963-66 120 lb. Jan.-Mar. 1963-67 100 lb. Jan.-Mar. 1967-69 160 lb. Nov.-Feb. 1967-68 160 lb. Jan.-early Mar. R m " m z -I -I -I Perla variety of koleagrass used at this location. z COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 17 TABLE 6. DRY MATTER DIGESTIBILITY OF SEVERAL COOL SEASON PERENNIAL GRASSES, PLANT BREEDING UNIT, 1967 Dry matter digestibility of forage' Grass February 23 March 20 April 25 Pct. Kolea Hardinggrass Auburn reed canary Kentucky 31 tall fescue ------------Goar tall fescue 78 77 79 73 74 Pct. 74 74 76 74 71 Pct. 67 67 63 58 49 - 1In-vivo determinations were made by placing nylon bags of coarsely ground forage in fistulated steers for 24 hours. Dry matter digestibility of standard comparison forages made at the same time was Coastal bermuda 58 and alfalfa hay 74 per cent. yields over several years have averaged 2 tons per acre, except on less productive, very wet soils. The major advantage of koleagrass over reed canary or tall fescue is higher production in winter, Figure 2 and Table 5. Ronphagrass, also highly productive in winter, is less palatable. It does not produce viable seed so must be planted from vegetative material. Another advantage of koleagrass is high forage quality. Crude protein content has averaged 19 to 23 per cent during late winter and spring. Digestible dry matter, a good measure of forage quality, has been high throughout winter and spring, Table 6. Kolea and hardinggrass were more digestible than tall fescue in late April. Palatability of hardinggrass was much higher than for reed canarygrass, but was affected less by nitrogen fertilizer. In a grazing experiment at Tuskegee Experiment Field in central Alabama3 , applying high rates of nitrogen improved consumption of reed canarygrass, but had little effect on hardinggrass where grazing consumption was already at a much higher level, Table 7. Although palatability differences exist, they may have little practical importance when cattle are confined to one grass species. 4 None of the Phalaris species are presently recommended in Alabama, although they are potentially desirable for extending the range of cool season perennial grasses. Reed canary has the ' ANDREWS, O. N., JR., AND C. S. HOVELAND. 1965. Apparent Palatability of Reed Canarygrass and Hardinggrass as Affected by Nitrogen. Agron. J. 57:315-316. SMARTEN, G. C. AND J. D. DONKER. 1968. Determinants of Pasture Value of Phalarisarundinacea L. vs. Bromus inermis Leyss. Agron. J. 60:703-705.". 18 18 ALABAMA AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION TABLE 7. EFFECT OF NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON CONSUMPTION OF REED CANARY AND HARDINGGBASS PASTURE BY BEEF Cows, TUSKEGEE EXPERIMENT FIELD Dry forage per acre N applied per acre, lb. Reed canarygrass ConAvailable sumed Hardinggrass Consumed Pct. 77 74 70 69 Con- Available Consumed sumed Pct. 12 32 39 48 Lb. 280 0-- --- -- -- --- -- -- -670 45 -- - - -- - - ----- - - - - - 90 -- - - - - -- - - - - ----- - - -1,060 135 -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1,340 Lb. 45 240 430 650 Lb. 515 1,100 1,590 1,980 Lb. 390 820 1,130 1,370 handicaps of poor seedling vigor, low winter production, and low palatability. Commercial hardinggrass does not persist well under intensive grazing or cutting. Kolea has excellent seedling vigor, good winter production, and high forage quality, but requires careful management at heading to maintain productivity. Grass-Legume Mixtures Ladino clover and alfalfa have been tested in association with cool season perennial grasses, Table 8. Alfalfa has two serious TABLE 8. FORAGE YIELD OF COOL SEASON GRASS-LEGUME Six MIXTURES, ALABAMA LOCATIONS Dry forage yield per acre Plant Lower Su. Ten. Vlle Ped-Aubrn Breeding Coastal u SMixtnremoenn Ve mont DRU, Unit, Plain Dewey 2 c1 phries sil Louisa el Lb. 4,760 -_- Hum- Sub., Appling sl Lb. 2,640 2,080 2,420 Cababa Sub., fsl Lb. 4,100 4,100 3,470 Leaf sl Lb. 5,040 5,700 4,560 Tall fescue-ladino Tall fescue-alfalfa------Orchardgrass-ladino----_ Lb. 4,060 ---3,220 Lb. 3,220 3,900 2,560 3,760 Orchardgrass-alfalfa--_-_ Orchard-dallis-ladino-_-_: Reed canary-ladino----- __. Reed 3,840 ------3,740 4,000 3,540 ----- 3,980 3,960 2,310 1,700 ---- 3,060 canary-alfalfa------ 4,480 1,260 3,040 1955-58 ---- ------- 5,020 6,270 4,920 5,230 4,000 3,240 2,120 2,930 3,130 ----- Bromegrass- Ky. bluegrass-ladino----Years alfalfa ------3,060 _---- ------------ 2,960 1955-58 -------1955-58 ---- ----- ---1954-56 1954-56 zNo nitrogen fertilizer was applied to of these mixtures. ci clay loam; sil - silt loam; si sandy loam; fsl= fine sandy loam. 2 Abbreviations: any 1955-58 COOL, SEASON PERENNIAL GRASS SPECIES 19 Oven dry forage pounds per acre K+ AGross + 3,000 3,00 nitrogen I :Grass + clover i 2poo 1,000 +N :+C N +C N +C Tall fescue Orchardgross Reed canarygross FIG. 4. February to mid-April forage yields, shown here, were lower from clovergrass than from grass getting nitrogen fertilizer at Tennessee Valley Substation, Belle Mina. Results are 3-year averages on Dewey clay loam soil. handicaps which eliminate it for pasture use- it does not persist well under grazing, and control of the alfalfa weevil is difficult. Yields of grass-ladino clover mixtures with no nitrogen have not been high, Table 8, but lack of winter growth is the most serious problem, Figure 4. Nitrogen application to the grass in fall and winter is essential if winter grazing is to be obtained. Unfortunately, ladino clover does not persist well in Kentucky 31 tall fescue that is broadcast or planted in narrow rows and fertilized with nitrogen. Planting fescue in wide rows, 18 to 24 inches, improves clover persistence, as does close grazing and lower rates of nitrogen. Reed canary is also too competitive to maintain clover. Goar tall fescue is less competitive with clover in summer, thus maintaining better clover stands. Orchardgrass permits a better grass-clover balance under pasture conditions. CONCLUSIONS 1. Tall-fescue is the only cool season perennial grass adapted over all areas of Alabama. Forage yields of 31 tons per acre can be expected under good fertilization in northern Alabama, but yields are lower in southern areas of the State. 2. Although Kentucky 81 is the major tall fescue grown, the Goar variety is also recommended because of its higher winter productivity. Goar is susceptible to rust and leaf spot, which may damage forage in late spring. Alta is also recommended and i similar to Kentucky 31. 3. Orchardgrass is recommended only in northern Alabama on fertile, well drained soils with good moisture relations. Forage yields on satisfactory soils will approximate tall fescue. 4. Boone and Potomac are recommended orchardgrass varieties. 5. Reed canary persists well in all areas of the State, but it is difficult to establish and has low winter production and low palatability. 6. Smooth brome was less productive than orchardgrass and is not recommended. 7. Kentucky bluegrass was the lowest yielding cool season grass tested in northern Alabama. 8. Timothy yielded well the first year, but stands did not persist beyond the second year. 9. Certain Phalaristuberosa varieties, such as koleagrass, offer promise as winter-productive grasses in central and southern Alabama but are not yet recommended.