Different mowing frequencies affect nutritive value and recovery potential of forage bermudagrass
Yinkun Zhang![https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3138-7829](/media/client/orcid_16x16.png)
A Coastal Salinity Tolerant Grass Engineering and Research Center, Ludong University, No. 186, Red Flag Middle Road, Yantai, China.
B Corresponding author. Email: turfcn@qq.com
Crop and Pasture Science 71(6) 610-619 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP19369
Submitted: 9 September 2019 Accepted: 21 April 2020 Published: 4 June 2020
Abstract
Mowing is one of the most effective methods of pasture management, and frequency plays a critical role in management strategies. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) is a highly valuable forage grass due to its exceptionally high mowing recovery rate and its high potential to be used as a forage crop. In China, bermudagrass is increasingly becoming a crucial forage crop because of the growing demand from the livestock industry. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of mowing frequencies on forage bermudagrass (‘Wrangler’) yields and nutritive value. Four treatments with different mowing frequencies (2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks) were evaluated. Harvested grasses were assessed for yield and nutritive value. The shoot dry weight, crude fibre and N content did not exhibit any difference at various mowing frequencies. The highest content of crude protein was attained at the 2-weeks mowing frequency, although the 4-weeks mowing frequency resulted in a relatively higher shoot fresh weight, crude fat content, water content, P concentration and plant height. A persistently high upregulation of NRT1, PHT1, PHT2, AOC, AOS, MYC2 and NCED1 genes were observed at 4-weeks frequency. Yield was highest at 4- and 6-weeks mowing frequencies. Consequently, the 4-weeks frequency was considered to be the optimal mowing frequency in view of the forage quality and regrowth capacity.
Additional keywords: mowing frequency, nutrition uptake, phytohormone, quality, yield.
References
Amombo E, Li X, Wang G, Shao A, Wang W, Fu J (2018) Comprehensive transcriptome profiling and identification of potential genes responsible for salt tolerance in tall fescue leaves under salinity stress. Genes 9, 466| Comprehensive transcriptome profiling and identification of potential genes responsible for salt tolerance in tall fescue leaves under salinity stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ball DM, Hoveland CS, Lacefeld GD (1991) ‘Southern forages.’ (Potash and Phosphate Potash and Phosphate Institute: Norcross, GA, USA)
Baseggio M, Newman YC, Sollenberger LE, Fraisse C, Obreza T (2015) Stolon planting rate effects on Tifton 85 bermudagrass establishment. Agronomy Journal 107, 1287–1294.
| Stolon planting rate effects on Tifton 85 bermudagrass establishment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Boter M, Ruiz-Rivero O, Abdeen A, Prat S (2004) Conserved MYC transcription factors play a key role in jasmonate signalling both in tomato and Arabidopsis. Genes & Development 18, 1577–1591.
| Conserved MYC transcription factors play a key role in jasmonate signalling both in tomato and Arabidopsis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Browse J (2009) Jasmonate passes muster: a receptor and targets for the defense hormone. Annual Review of Plant Biology 60, 183–205.
| Jasmonate passes muster: a receptor and targets for the defense hormone.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19025383PubMed |
Browse J, Howe GA (2008) New weapons and a rapid response against insect attack. Plant Physiology 146, 832–838.
| New weapons and a rapid response against insect attack.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18316637PubMed |
Cenzano A, Abdala G, Hause B (2007) Cytochemical immuno-localization of allene oxide cyclase, a jasmonic acid biosynthetic enzyme, in developing potato stolons. Journal of Plant Physiology 164, 1449–1456.
| Cytochemical immuno-localization of allene oxide cyclase, a jasmonic acid biosynthetic enzyme, in developing potato stolons.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17223227PubMed |
Chini A, Fonseca S, Fernandez G, Adie B, Chico JM, Lorenzo O, Garcia-Casado G, Lopez-Vidriero I, Lozano FM, Ponce MR, Micol JL, Solano R (2007) The JAZ family of repressors is the missing link in jasmonate signalling. Nature 448, 666–671.
| The JAZ family of repressors is the missing link in jasmonate signalling.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17637675PubMed |
Chung HS, Howe GA (2009) A critical role for the TIFY motif in repression of jasmonate signaling by a stabilized splice variant of the JASMONATE ZIM-domain protein JAZ10 in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell 21, 131–145.
| A critical role for the TIFY motif in repression of jasmonate signaling by a stabilized splice variant of the JASMONATE ZIM-domain protein JAZ10 in Arabidopsis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19151223PubMed |
Criado MV, Roberts IN, Echeverria M, Barneix AJ (2007) Plant growth regulators and induction of leaf senescence in nitrogen-deprived wheat plants. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 26, 301–307.
| Plant growth regulators and induction of leaf senescence in nitrogen-deprived wheat plants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Davison TM, Cowan RT, O’Rourke PK (1981) Management practices for tropical grasses and their effects on pasture and milk production. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 21, 196–202.
| Management practices for tropical grasses and their effects on pasture and milk production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Devoto A, Ellis C, Magusin A, Chang HS, Chilcott C, Zhu T, Turner JG (2005) Expression profiling reveals COI1 to be a key regulator of genes involved in wound- and methyl jasmonate-induced secondary metabolism, defence, and hormone interactions. Plant Molecular Biology 58, 497–513.
| Expression profiling reveals COI1 to be a key regulator of genes involved in wound- and methyl jasmonate-induced secondary metabolism, defence, and hormone interactions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16021335PubMed |
Fajemilehin SOK, Babayemi OJ, Fagbuaro SS (2008) Effect of anhydrous magnesium sulphate fertilizer and cutting frequency on yield and chemical composition of Panicum maximum. African Journal of Biotechnology 7, 907–911.
Gallagher JL (1975) Effect of an ammonium nitrate pulse on the growth and elemental composition of natural stands of Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus. American Journal of Botany 62, 644–648.
| Effect of an ammonium nitrate pulse on the growth and elemental composition of natural stands of Spartina alterniflora and Juncus roemerianus.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gaskin JW, Harris GH, Franzluebbers AJ, Andrae JG (2013) Poultry litter application on pastures and hayfields. Bulletin 1330. University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Science Cooperative Extension, Athens, GA, USA. Available at: http://extension.uga.edu/publications/detail.html?number=B1330 (accessed 14 February 2018).
Gitau MM, Fan JB, Xie Y, Fu J (2017) Genetic diversity and association mapping of forage quality in diverse bermudagrass accessions. Euphytica 213, 234
Gonzalez-Dugo V, Durand JL, Gastal F, Picon-Cochard F (2005) Short-term response of the nitrogen nutrition status of tall fescue and Italian ryegrass swards under water deficit. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 56, 1269–1276.
| Short-term response of the nitrogen nutrition status of tall fescue and Italian ryegrass swards under water deficit.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Guo TC, Xuan HM, Yang YY, Wang LN, Wei LT, Wang YH, Kang GZ (2014) Transcription analysis of genes encoding the wheat root transporter NRT1 and NRT2 families during nitrogen starvation. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 33, 837–848.
| Transcription analysis of genes encoding the wheat root transporter NRT1 and NRT2 families during nitrogen starvation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hanna WW, Anderson WF (2008) Development and impact of vegetative propagation in forage and turf bermudagrasses. Agronomy Journal 100, 103–107.
| Development and impact of vegetative propagation in forage and turf bermudagrasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hanna WW, Sollen-berger LE (2007) Tropical and subtropical grasses. In ‘Forages. Vol. II. The science of grassland agriculture’, 6th edn. (Eds RF Barnes, CJ Nelson, KJ Moore, M Collins) pp. 245–257. (Iowa State University Press: Ames, IA, USA)
Hare MD, Phengphet S, Songsiri T, Sutin N, Stern E (2013) Effect of cutting interval on yield and quality of three brachiaria hybrids in Thailand. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales 1, 84–86.
| Effect of cutting interval on yield and quality of three brachiaria hybrids in Thailand.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hill GM, Gates RN, West JW (2001) Advances in bermudagrass research involving new cultivars for beef and dairy production. Journal of Animal Science 79, E48–E58.
| Advances in bermudagrass research involving new cultivars for beef and dairy production.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Hoagland DR Arnon DI (1950) The water culture method for growing plants without soil. California Agricultural Experiment Station Circular 347. College of Agriculture, University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA.
International Standard Organization (2000) Animal feeding stuffs – determination of crude fibre content. Method with intermediate filtration. ISO 6865:2000. ISA, Geneva, Switzerland.
Inyang U, Vendramini JMB, Sellers B, Silveira MLA, Lunpha A, Sollenberger LE, Adesogan A, Paiva LM (2010) Harvest frequency and stubble height affects herbage accumulation, nutritive value, and persistence of ‘Mulato II’ brachiaria grass. Forage and Grazinglands 8, 1–7.
| Harvest frequency and stubble height affects herbage accumulation, nutritive value, and persistence of ‘Mulato II’ brachiaria grass.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Johnson RR, Dehority BA (1968) A comparison of several laboratory techniques to predict digestibility and intake of forages. Journal of Animal Science 27, 1738–1742.
| A comparison of several laboratory techniques to predict digestibility and intake of forages.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Jung HG, Allen MS (1995) Characteristics of plant cell walls affecting intake and digestibility of forages by ruminants. Journal of Animal Science 73, 2774–2790.
| Characteristics of plant cell walls affecting intake and digestibility of forages by ruminants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 8582870PubMed |
Katsir L, Chung HS, Koo AJ, Howe GA (2008) Jasmonate signaling: a conserved mechanism of hormone sensing. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 11, 428–435.
| Jasmonate signaling: a conserved mechanism of hormone sensing.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18583180PubMed |
Kazan K, Manners JM (2008) Jasmonate signaling: toward an integrated view. Plant Physiology 146, 1459–1468.
| Jasmonate signaling: toward an integrated view.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18390489PubMed |
Kembel SW, Waters I, Shay JM (2008) Short-term effects of cut-to-length versus full-tree harvesting on understorey plant communities and understorey-regeneration associations in Manitoba boreal forests. Forest Ecology and Management 255, 1848–1858.
| Short-term effects of cut-to-length versus full-tree harvesting on understorey plant communities and understorey-regeneration associations in Manitoba boreal forests.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Khan AL, AI-Harrasi A, Shahzad R, Imran QM, Yun BW, Kim YH, Kang SM, AI-Rawahi A, Lee IJ (2018) Regulation of endogenous phytohormones and essential metabolites in frankincense-producing Boswellia sacra under wounding stress. Acta Physiologiae Plantarum 40, 113
| Regulation of endogenous phytohormones and essential metabolites in frankincense-producing Boswellia sacra under wounding stress.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Liang J, Yang L, Chen X, Li L, Guo D, Li H, Zhang B (2009) Cloning and characterization of the promoter of the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase gene in Arachis hypogaea L. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry 73, 2103–2106.
| Cloning and characterization of the promoter of the 9-cis-epoxycarotenoid dioxygenase gene in Arachis hypogaea L.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19734653PubMed |
Lorenzo O, Solano R (2005) Molecular players regulating the jasmonate signalling network. Current Opinion in Plant Biology 8, 532–540.
| Molecular players regulating the jasmonate signalling network.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16039901PubMed |
Lorenzo O, Chico JM, Sanchez-Serrano JJ, Solano R (2004) JASMONATE-INSENSITIVE1 encodes a MYC transcription factor essential to discriminate between different jasmonate-regulated defense responses in Arabidopsis. The Plant Cell 16, 1938–1950.
| JASMONATE-INSENSITIVE1 encodes a MYC transcription factor essential to discriminate between different jasmonate-regulated defense responses in Arabidopsis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15208388PubMed |
Mabapa MP, Ayisi KK, Mariga IK (2017) Effect of planting density and harvest interval on the leaf yield and quality of moringa (Moringa oleifera) under diverse agroecological conditions of northern south Africa. International Journal of Agronomy 2017, 2941432
| Effect of planting density and harvest interval on the leaf yield and quality of moringa (Moringa oleifera) under diverse agroecological conditions of northern south Africa.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Mandebvu P, West JW, Gates RN, Hill GM (1998) Effect of hay maturity, forage source, or neutral detergent fiber content on digestion of diets containing Tifon 85 bermudagrass and corn silage. Animal Feed Science and Technology 73, 281–290.
Mislevy P, Burton GW, Busey P (1991) Bahiagrass response to grazing frequency. Proceedings - Soil and Crop Science Society of Florida 50, 58–64.
Monson WG, Burton GW (1982) Harvest frequency and fertilizer effects on yield, quality, and persistence of eight bermudagrasses. Agronomy Journal 74, 371–374.
| Harvest frequency and fertilizer effects on yield, quality, and persistence of eight bermudagrasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Oyenuga VA (1960) Effect of stage of growth and frequency of cutting on the yield and chemical composition of some Nigerian fodder grasses – Panicum maximum Jacq. The Journal of Agricultural Science 55, 339–350.
| Effect of stage of growth and frequency of cutting on the yield and chemical composition of some Nigerian fodder grasses – Panicum maximum Jacq.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Pauwels L, Inzé D, Goossens A (2009) Jasmonate-inducible gene: what does it mean? Trends in Plant Science 14, 87–91.
| Jasmonate-inducible gene: what does it mean?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19162528PubMed |
Pequeno DNL, Pedreira CGS, Sollenberger LE, Faria AFG, Silva LS (2015) Forage accumulation and nutritive value of brachiaria grasses and Tifton 85 bermudagrass as affected by harvest frequency and irrigation. Agronomy Journal 107, 1741–1749.
| Forage accumulation and nutritive value of brachiaria grasses and Tifton 85 bermudagrass as affected by harvest frequency and irrigation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Read JJ, Lang DJ, Adeli A, Jenkins JN (2018) Harvest management effects on ‘Tifton 44’ bermudagrass phosphorus removal and nutritive value. Agronomy, Sols, and Environmental Quality 110, 879–889.
| Harvest management effects on ‘Tifton 44’ bermudagrass phosphorus removal and nutritive value.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Samuel T, Dana H, Anna CT (2017) Clipping and irrigation enhance grass biomass and nutrients: Implications for rangeland management. Acta Oecologica 81, 32–39.
Santner A, Estelle M (2007) The JAZ proteins link jasmonate perception with transcriptional changes. The Plant Cell 19, 3839–3842.
| The JAZ proteins link jasmonate perception with transcriptional changes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18165326PubMed |
Sharpley AN, Herron S, Daniel T (2007) Overcoming the challenges of phosphorus-based management in poultry farming. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 62, 375–389.
Silva VJ, Pedreira CGS, Sollenberger LE, Carvalho MSS, Tonato F, Basto DC (2015) Seasonal herbage accumulation and nutritive value of irrigated ‘Tifton 85’, Jiggs, and Vaquero bermudagrasses in response to harvest frequency. Crop Science 55, 2886–2894.
| Seasonal herbage accumulation and nutritive value of irrigated ‘Tifton 85’, Jiggs, and Vaquero bermudagrasses in response to harvest frequency.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Springer TL, Aiken GE (2015) Harvest frequency effects on white clover forage biomass, quality, and theoretical ethanol yield. Biomass and Bioenergy 78, 1–5.
| Harvest frequency effects on white clover forage biomass, quality, and theoretical ethanol yield.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Tanaka TST, Irbis C, Kumagai H, Wang P, Li K, Inamura T (2017) Effect of Phragmites japonicus harvest frequency and timing on dry matter yield and nutritive value. Journal of Environmental Management 187, 436–443.
| Effect of Phragmites japonicus harvest frequency and timing on dry matter yield and nutritive value.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27838207PubMed |
Theodorou ME, Plaxton WC (1993) Metabolic adaptations of plant respiration to nutritional phosphate deprivation. Plant Physiology 101, 339–344.
| Metabolic adaptations of plant respiration to nutritional phosphate deprivation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12231689PubMed |
Veen GFC, Vries S, Bakker ES, Vanderputten WH, Olff H (2014) Grazing-induced changes in plant-soil feedback alter plant biomass allocation. Oikos 123, 800–806.
| Grazing-induced changes in plant-soil feedback alter plant biomass allocation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vendramini JMB, Sollenberger LE, Blount AR, Aguiar AD, Galzerano L, Valente ALS, Alves E, Custodio L (2013) Bahiagrass cultivar response to grazing frequency with limited N fertilization. Agronomy Journal 105, 938–944.
| Bahiagrass cultivar response to grazing frequency with limited N fertilization.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Vendramini JMB, Sollenberger LE, Soares AB, Silva WLD, Sanchez JMD, Valente AL, Aguiar AD, Mullenix MK (2014) Harvest frequency affects herbage accumulation and nutritive value of brachiaria grass hybrids in Florida. Tropical Grasslands-Forrajes Tropicales 2, 197–206.
| Harvest frequency affects herbage accumulation and nutritive value of brachiaria grass hybrids in Florida.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Wang X, Bian Y, Cheng K, Zou H, Sun SS, He J (2012) A comprehensive differential proteomic study of nitrate deprivation in Arabidopsis reveals complex regulatory networks of plant nitrogen responses. Journal of Proteome Research 11, 2301–2315.
| A comprehensive differential proteomic study of nitrate deprivation in Arabidopsis reveals complex regulatory networks of plant nitrogen responses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22329444PubMed |
Wasternack C (2007) Jasmonates: an update on biosynthesis, signal transduction and action in plant stress response, growth and development. Annals of Botany 100, 681–697.
| Jasmonates: an update on biosynthesis, signal transduction and action in plant stress response, growth and development.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17513307PubMed |
Yerramsetty PN, Anderson MP, Taliaferro CM, Martin DL (2005) DNA fingerprinting of seeded bermudagrass cultivars. Crop Science 45, 772–777.
| DNA fingerprinting of seeded bermudagrass cultivars.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhang YM, Yang JF, Lu SY, Cai JL, Guo ZF (2008) Overexpressing SgNCED1 in tobacco increases ABA level, antioxidant enzyme activities, and stress tolerance. Journal of Plant Growth Regulation 27, 151–158.
| Overexpressing SgNCED1 in tobacco increases ABA level, antioxidant enzyme activities, and stress tolerance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Zhou M, Memelink J (2016) Jasmonate-responsive transcription factors regulating plant secondary metabolism. Biotechnology Advances 34, 441–449.
| Jasmonate-responsive transcription factors regulating plant secondary metabolism.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26876016PubMed |