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Effect of stubble height and irrigation management on the growth, botanical composition and persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and chicory swards in cool-temperate Tasmania
Citation
Langworthy, AD and Rawnsley, RP and Freeman, MJ and Corkrey, R and Pembleton, KG and Harrison, MT and Lane, PA and Henry, DA, Effect of stubble height and irrigation management on the growth, botanical composition and persistence of perennial ryegrass, tall fescue and chicory swards in cool-temperate Tasmania, Crop and Pasture Science, 70, (2) pp. 169-182. ISSN 1836-0947 (2019) [Refereed Article]
Copyright Statement
Copyright the author(s) 2019
DOI: doi:10.1071/CP18311
Abstract
The profitability of dairying in south-eastern Australia can be improved by increasing pasture production during summer–autumn, when growth rates for the existing perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) feedbase are low. A study undertaken in cool-temperate north-west Tasmania examined the effect of stubble height and irrigation management on swards of perennial ryegrass, continental (summer-active) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L.). Irrigation treatments included full irrigation (∼20 mm applied at every 20 mm precipitation deficit), deficit irrigation (∼20 mm applied at alternate full-irrigation events) and rainfed (no irrigation).
All species achieved greater summer–autumn yields when repeatedly defoliated to stubble heights of 35 or 55 mm than when defoliated to 115 mm, irrespective of irrigation treatment. Swards were managed under a common defoliation schedule of nine defoliation events in 12 months. Under full irrigation, second-year tall fescue achieved a greater summer-autumn yield than perennial ryegrass (by 10%, or 0.7 t DM ha-1), highlighting the potential role of tall fescue in north-west Tasmania. This was further demonstrated by the high marginal irrigation water-use index values (1.6-2.7 t DM ML-1) of tall fescue. By contrast, summer–autumn growth achieved by chicory was less than or equal to perennial ryegrass.
Item Details
Item Type: | Refereed Article |
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Keywords: | basal frequency, defoliation severity, grazing intensity, residual height, water-use efficiency |
Research Division: | Agricultural, Veterinary and Food Sciences |
Research Group: | Crop and pasture production |
Research Field: | Agronomy |
Objective Division: | Animal Production and Animal Primary Products |
Objective Group: | Pasture, browse and fodder crops |
Objective Field: | Sown pastures (excl. lucerne) |
UTAS Author: | Langworthy, AD (Dr Adam Langworthy) |
UTAS Author: | Rawnsley, RP (Dr Richard Rawnsley) |
UTAS Author: | Freeman, MJ (Mr Mark Freeman) |
UTAS Author: | Corkrey, R (Dr Ross Corkrey) |
UTAS Author: | Harrison, MT (Associate Professor Matthew Harrison) |
UTAS Author: | Lane, PA (Associate Professor Peter Lane) |
ID Code: | 131861 |
Year Published: | 2019 |
Web of Science® Times Cited: | 4 |
Deposited By: | TIA - Research Institute |
Deposited On: | 2019-04-10 |
Last Modified: | 2020-03-31 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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