ii.basic forage establishment and physiology. dennis hancock, phd. extension forage specialist uga...
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II. Basic Forage Establishment and Physiology.
II. Basic Forage Establishment and Physiology.
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
Dennis Hancock, PhD.Extension Forage Specialist
UGA – Dept. of Crop and Soil Sciences
EstablishmentEstablishment
Thou Shalt Soil TestThou Shalt Soil Test
The #1 cause of poor stands at establishment – poor soil fertility or low soil pH.
When you plant…When you plant…
• Planting time (timing)• Proper seeding method
seedbed preparation
• Good seed placement• Proper seeding rate √• Control competition √
• Planting time (timing)• Proper seeding method
seedbed preparation
• Good seed placement• Proper seeding rate √• Control competition √
Seeding Date
•Optimum timing varies– Water– Weather– Competition – Disease pressure
•Optimum timing varies– Water– Weather– Competition – Disease pressure
#1 = Fall Seeding(Oct. – Nov.)
Spring Seeding = Severe Weed Comp.
Seedbed Preparation
Seedbed Preparation
1.Prepared seedbed2.No-till (“Minimum till”)
3.Frost seeding- Clovers, only.
1.Prepared seedbed2.No-till (“Minimum till”)
3.Frost seeding- Clovers, only.
“No-till”“No-till”
• Best when terrain is rolling or soil is at risk of erosion.
• Primarily used for sod-seeding or interseeding
• Not feasible for vegetative establishment (sprigging).
• Best when terrain is rolling or soil is at risk of erosion.
• Primarily used for sod-seeding or interseeding
• Not feasible for vegetative establishment (sprigging).
Grain vs. No-till drillGrain vs. No-till drill
No-till drillNo-till drill
CoulterCoulter
ShoeShoePress-wheelPress-wheel
Small-seed box.
Grain vs. No-till drillGrain vs. No-till drill
Grain Drill
Minimum Till (“No-till”)Minimum Till (“No-till”)
• Acceptable for vegetative establishment (sprigging), at least in Piedmont.
• Acceptable for vegetative establishment (sprigging), at least in Piedmont.
Prepared SeedbedPrepared Seedbed
• “Well-prepared” seedbed Plow/disc/finish at least 2-4
wks prior to sprigging Incorporate lime,
phosphorus, and potassium.
Allow time to settle or firm with cultipacker/roller.
• Seedbed should be firm Boot tracks should be ~1/4
in. deep If too fluffy, the soil will dry
very quickly (sandy soils)
• “Well-prepared” seedbed Plow/disc/finish at least 2-4
wks prior to sprigging Incorporate lime,
phosphorus, and potassium.
Allow time to settle or firm with cultipacker/roller.
• Seedbed should be firm Boot tracks should be ~1/4
in. deep If too fluffy, the soil will dry
very quickly (sandy soils)
Winter Seedings (Red/White Clover)Winter Seedings
(Red/White Clover)
Frost SeedingsFrost Seedings
• Yes for Clover • No for Grasses or Alfalfa• The more bare ground, the better• Outside force is necessary
Weather Cattle traffic
• Yes for Clover • No for Grasses or Alfalfa• The more bare ground, the better• Outside force is necessary
Weather Cattle traffic
Drilling DepthDrilling Depth
• Watch cutting coulter depth in wet ground
• Coulters should cut about twice depth of seed placement.
• Seeding too deep is major cause of establishment failures!
• Watch cutting coulter depth in wet ground
• Coulters should cut about twice depth of seed placement.
• Seeding too deep is major cause of establishment failures!
Seeding Depth: ¼ to ½ inchSeeding Depth: ¼ to ½ inch
Seed PlacementSeed Placement
Seedling Emergence: Festucoid
Seedling Emergence: Festucoid
Seedling Emergence: Panicoid
Seedling Emergence: Panicoid
Seedling Emergence: Hypocotyl Arch
Seedling Emergence: Hypocotyl Arch
Seed Quality ConcernsSeed Quality Concerns
• Seed crop is relatively poor quality Poor germination Purity is low
• Pure Live Seed (PLS) Germ x Purity Maybe < 80% PLS
• Seed crop is relatively poor quality Poor germination Purity is low
• Pure Live Seed (PLS) Germ x Purity Maybe < 80% PLS
Thou Shalt Use Certified Seed
Thou Shalt Use Certified Seed
Use Certified SeedUse Certified Seed
CommonCommon CertifiedCertified
Inoculate with appropriate strain:
Alfalfa group (Rhizobium meliloti)Clover Group (Rhizobium trifolii)
Establishing Hybrid Bermudagrass
Establishing Hybrid Bermudagrass
Best methods1) Dormant sprigs (rhizomes) - 40-50 bu/A
Dec. to early Mar.
2) Sprigs with green tops – 30-50 bu/A spring (after last freeze) to early Aug.
3) Tops/green stems – 50-60 bu/A Jun. – Aug. Not recommended for Tifton 44
• Best if seedbed is well-prepared
PhysiologyPhysiology
• Legumes may have stolons or rhizomes, too. White/Ladino clover
(stolons) Kura clover (rhizomes)
• Many forage legumes will have neither.
• Legumes may have stolons or rhizomes, too. White/Ladino clover
(stolons) Kura clover (rhizomes)
• Many forage legumes will have neither.
Legume PartsLegume Parts
The Plant CellThe Plant Cell
PectinsHemicelluloseCelluloseLigninSilica
ProteinOilMineralsSugarsOrganic Acids
Easily Digestible
Neutral Detergent Fiber
Total Digestible NutrientsRelative Forage Quality (RFQ)
Metabolizable Energy
TDNRFQ
Metabolizable Energy
Maturity and DigestibilityMaturity and Digestibility
vegetative early reproductive full-seed
Total Yield
Stem Yield
Leaf Yield
Digestibility
Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species
Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species
Cool Season vs. Warm SeasonCool Season vs. Warm Season
Wheat – CSAG (C3)
Corn – WSAG (C4)
QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?
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