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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