The Production Potential of \u3cem\u3eFestuca\u3c/em\u3e spp., \u3cem\u3eLolium\u3c/em\u3e spp. and Festulolium Hybrids in the Southern Cape of South Africa

Researchers are continuously searching for species that can improve the productivity and sustainability of pasture systems under adverse environmental conditions such as drought and extreme temperatures. Plant breeders have bred hybrids between ryegrass (Lolium spp.) and Fescue (Festuca spp.) in an attempt to combine the high forage quality of the former with the stress tolerance of the latter (Kopecky et al., 2008; Akgun et al., 2008). The resultant hybrids are commonly referred to as Festulolium spp. These species include Festulolium pabulare which is a cross between Tall Fescue (F. arundinacea) and Italian ryegrass (L. multiflorum var. italicum), and Festulolium braunii, which is a cross between Meadow Fescue (F. pratensis) and Italian ryegrass. All hybrids are back-crossed with their fescue or ryegrass parent species to obtain festucoid and loloid varieties, respectively. There is currently limited scientific data describing the production potential of such Festulolium varieties compared to that of ryegrass and fescue under irrigation in the Southern Cape of South Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the dry matter production potential of Festuca spp., Lolium spp. and Festulolium spp. in the southern Cape of South Africa

Microbial Community Response to Various Degrees of Pasture Soil Disturbance

Commercial dairy farming from planted pasture is commonly practised in the southern Cape region of South Africa. These pastures are established by various methods ranging in degree of disturbance from no-tillage to conventional tillage. Different establishment methods may alter the below-ground ecosystem, and depending on the degree of disturbance, lead to changes in microbial biodiversity and soil health. Disturbance of pasture soil may play an important role in regulating soil microbial community structure. The aim of this study was to investigate changes in soil microbial community-level physiological profiles of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) pastures reinforced with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum) by various degrees of soil disturbance

The Seasonal Nutritional Value of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover

To overcome the seasonality and relatively low forage quality of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum), annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp.), perennial white (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) can be incorporated into an existing kikuyu stand to improve pasture quality and spring production. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of kikuyu (K), kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and perennial white and red clover (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of white and red clover (KC), in swards grazed by dairy cows

The Seasonal Dry Matter Production and Carrying Capacity of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover

In the main milk producing areas of the Southern Cape, kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is considered an important summer and autumn pasture which is climatologically well adapted. The main problem experienced with kikuyu is that winter and spring production is low and the exclusion of legumes make it dependent of nitrogen fertiliser and that increases the input cost. The aim of the study was to quantify the seasonal dry matter (DM) yield and carrying capacity of kikuyu (K) through treatments involving kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp.) (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) and perennial white (Trifolium repens) and red (Trifolium pratense) clovers (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of only perennial white and red clovers (KC)

The Evaluation of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover in Terms of Milk Production

Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) comprises the greater part of irrigated summer and autumn pasturage for milk production in the Southern Cape. Milk production per cow is limited by low forage quality. The aim of the study was to determine the milk production from kikuyu (K), kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp. cv Energa) (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv Yatsyn, Dobson) and perennial white clover (Trifolium repens cv Haifa, Waverley) and red clover (Trifolium pratense cv Kenland, Cherokee) (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial white and red clover (KC). The trial was carried out under irrigation using Jersey cows in a put-and-take grazing system. Fertiliser was applied to raise phosphorus level to 35 mg/kg, potash level to 80 mg/kg and the pH (KCl) to 5.5. No nitrogen fertiliser was applied to the KC and KRC pastures

The Seasonal Botanical Composition, Calcium and Phosphorus Content of Kikuyu Oversown With Ryegrass and Clover

Kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum) is one of the major grasses used for summer and autumn grazing in the Southern Cape coast area of South Africa. Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum spp.), perennial white (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) can be incorporated into an existing kikuyu stand to improve pasture quality and spring production. The aim of this study was to determine the persistence of these species and effects on the calcium and phosphorus content of kikuyu (K), kikuyu oversown with annual ryegrass (KR), kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial ryegrass (L. perenne) and perennial white and red clovers (KRC) and kikuyu oversown with a mixture of perennial white and red clovers (KC)