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

Establishment

Thou Shalt Soil Test The #1 cause of poor stands at establishment – poor soil fertility or low soil pH.

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 1.Prepared seedbed 2.No-till (“Minimum till”) 3.Frost seeding - Clovers, only. 1.Prepared seedbed 2.No-till (“Minimum till”) 3.Frost seeding - Clovers, only.

“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 drill No-till drill

Coulter Shoe Press- wheel Press- wheel

Small-seed box.

Grain vs. No-till drill Grain Drill

Minimum Till (“No-till”) Acceptable for vegetative establishment (sprigging), at least in Piedmont.

Prepared 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)

Frost 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 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 inch

Seed Placement

Seedling Emergence: Festucoid

Seedling Emergence: Panicoid

Seedling Emergence: Hypocotyl Arch

Seed 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

Use Certified Seed CommonCertified

Inoculate with appropriate strain: Alfalfa group (Rhizobium meliloti) Clover Group (Rhizobium trifolii)

Establishing Hybrid Bermudagrass Best methods 1) Dormant sprigs (rhizomes) bu/A  Dec. to early Mar. 2) Sprigs with green tops – bu/A  spring (after last freeze) to early Aug. 3) Tops/green stems – bu/A  Jun. – Aug.  Not recommended for Tifton 44 Best if seedbed is well-prepared

Physiology

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 Parts

The Plant Cell Pectins Hemicellulose Cellulose Lignin Silica Protein Oil Minerals Sugars Organic Acids Easily Digestible Neutral Detergent Fiber Total Digestible Nutrients Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) Metabolizable Energy TDN RFQ Metabolizable Energy

Maturity and Digestibility vegetative early reproductive full-seed Total Yield Stem Yield Leaf Yield Digestibility

Quality Differences in the Major Forage Species

Cool Season vs. Warm Season Wheat – CSAG (C 3 ) Corn – WSAG (C 4 )

QUESTIONS?