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Forage yield and quality interactions between white clover and contrasting ryegrass varieties in grazed swards

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

D. R. Evans ,
M. O. Humphreys  and
T. A. Williams
D. R. Evans
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 3EB, UK
M. O. Humphreys
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 3EB, UK
T. A. Williams
Affiliation:
Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research, Plas Gogerddan, Aberystwyth, Dyfed SY23 3EB, UK
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Summary

The impact of white clover on seasonal yield and nutritive value traits in perennial ryegrass was investigated using six ryegrass varieties which expressed contrasting levels of water soluble carbohydrate (WSC). These were sown in an upland environment at Syfydrin, near Aberystwyth, in mixtures with white clover and in monocultures. Plots were grazed by sheep and sampled during 1991–93. Grass yields in mixtures and monocultures were similar except during mid to late summer when clover contents were high. White clover had a considerably lower WSC content but a much higher crude protein (CP) content than the ryegrasses. The WSC content of grasses in mixed swards was consistently lower than in monocultures and markedly so during mid to late summer. Use of ryegrass varieties with a relatively high WSC content can compensate for this depletion. Consequently high WSC grasses may reduce the amounts of nitrogen excreted by ruminants grazing mixed swards by increasing the efficiency of protein use from clover.

Type
Crops and Soils
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 126 , Issue 3 , May 1996 , pp. 295 - 299
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1996

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References

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