Yield and mineral concentration of HiMag compared to other tall fescue cultivars grown in the Southern Piedmont

Wilkinson, S.R. and Mayland, H.F. (1997) Yield and mineral concentration of HiMag compared to other tall fescue cultivars grown in the Southern Piedmont. Journal of Plant Nutrition. 20(10):1317-1331.

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Abstract

HiMag is an experimental cultivar derived from Missouri 96 (Mo96) and
Kentucky 31 (K31) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) parentage for
increased calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and reduced potassium (K)/
(Ca+Mg). Our objective was to determine productivity and mineral
characteristics of endophyte-free (E-) HiMag in relation to standard tall fescue
cultivars when grown in the Southern Piedmont Land Resource Area. In
experiment 1, HiMag (E-) and K31 (E-) were grown at two levels of
phosphorus (P), K, and lime additions to both severely eroded, and non-eroded
Cecil soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic family of Typic Hapludults).
Herbage Ca and Mg were greater and K/(Ca+ Mg) and yield were less for
HiMag than for K31. Phosphorus and K concentrations were not different.
Herbage yields, P, Ca, and Mg concentrations were increased by P, K, and
lime additions. In experiment 2, HiMag(E-), K31(E-), endophyte-infected
K31(E+), Mo I(E+), Mo II (E+), and AU Triumph (E-) were planted either in
a prepared seedbed or planted without tillage into the Cecil soil. HiMag
yields were not different from Mo-I, Mo-II or K31(E±), but were less than
those of AU Triumph (E-). HiMag yield response to no-till planting, past
soil erosion, and fertilizer level was similar to that of K31 (E±). Fertilizer
level, and soil condition affected the magnitude of differences in mineral
levels in HiMag and K31 (E±), but K/(Ca+Mg) values were more favorable
in HiMag. All tall fescue cultivars established equally well in no-till or
prepared seedbeds. Aside from a slightly lower first harvest yield there were
no important effects of planting no-till versus planting in a prepared seedbed.
HiMag's agronomic attributes, while not superior to other cultivars, were
sufficient to justify further testing to improve Mg nutrition of grazing animals.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0946
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Grass forage > Chemistry Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:54
Last Modified:	21 Nov 2016 20:32
Item ID:	683
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/683