Abstract
Plant dry matter (DM) is one of the most limiting factors on the rumen fill. Due to
variation in seasons, forages are prone to different stresses ranging from abiotic and
biotic factors. The study was done to assess the effect of cutting stage on dry matter
yield r and total non-structural carbohydrates of Italian ryegrass varieties (14 varieties).
Diploid varieties namely: Supercharge, Sukari, Kigezi, Bartrento, ARC-148 BQX,
Maximus and 14 LMD 43 and Tetraploid varieties namely: Green-Spirit, Barmulta II,
ARC-214 GQX, Supreme Q, Agriton, AgriBoost and Mona. The trial was run at the
Cedara research station in KwaZulu-Natal province (KZN). All 14 varieties were
planted in rows which were 150mm apart (at the population rate of 30 kg/ha for both
diploid and tetraploid) replicated three times in a laid out and fitted into randomized
complete block design (RCBD). Dry matter yield and non-structural carbohydrates
were analysed. A consistent effect of cutting stage on DM yield and TNC was not
observed on average mean values. The cutting interval did not influence the DM yield
and TNC concentration of both on diploid and tetraploid Lolium multiflorum varieties.
The cutting stages can be reduced to four or five to allow the plant to regain its vigour
after cutting /defoliation in order to and enforce the source-sink relationships.
Patrick N Rakau, Khuliso E Ravhuhali, Mpho Nzeru. (2021) Performance of Italian ryegrass varieties: Effect of cutting stage on dry matter and total non-structural carbohydrates percentages, Asian Journal of Agriculture and Biology, Volume-09, Issue-1.
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