WCC91: Improving Stress Resistance of Forages in the Western United States

(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

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SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[02/01/2002] [08/30/2003]

Date of Annual Report: 02/01/2002

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/02/2002 - 01/03/2002
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2001 - 12/01/2001

Participants

Hannaway, David B- Oregon State University; Delaney, Ronald H.- University of Wyoming; Griggs, Thomas C.-Utah State University; Fransen, Steve C.- Washington State University; Koch, David W.-University of Wyoming; Waldron, Blair L.- USDA_ARS Utah; Shewmaker, Glenn-University of Idaho; Brummer Joe E.- COlorado State University; Mitchell, Allen Administrative Advisor- University of Alaska

Participants Attachment:

Attachment

Brief Summary of Minutes

Meeting Minutes can be found at the above website.

Minutes Attachment:

Attachment

Accomplishments

1. Exchange of research approaches and results relating to the physiology, genetics, and breeding of stress resistance in forage species. And, 2. Identify forage species, cultivars, and experimental lines with potential to extend the livestock grazing season during the late fall and winter. Accomplishments: UT-ARS continued breeding programs to develop 1) cultivars of alfalfa and sainfoin for grazing on semiarid rangelands and 2) birdsfoot trefoil and kura clover for dryland and irrigated pastures. Breeding cycles were completed in each of these species in 2001. A cultivar release of kura clover is anticipated within three years. A breeding program was continued to develop improved cultivars of endophyte-free tall fescue for irrigated pasture in the Intermountain West. Parent-progeny tests were completed and the second breeding cycle has been initiated. Studies to evaluate the forage yield, water-use efficiency, and forage quality of tall fescue at different levels of irrigation were completed and published in a refereed journal. Western wheatgrass underwent a second cycle of selection for improved seedling vigor. Seed increase from the improved population will be tested for cultivar release. Forage kochia (Kochia prostrata) from Kazakhstan was characterized for forage traits and an animal performance study was initiated on fall/winter grazing of CRP lands containing up to 70 percent forage kochia. Additional cultivar releases are expected to be made within the 5-year time frame of this project and will include wheatgrasses, wildrye, and various grazing type legumes. In an effort to breed for better winter pea survival and productivity on the Central Great Plains, Wyoming continued testing of F2 Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp arvense) lines (80,000 seed) with establishment and winter survival of 5 % on scarified and 30 % on non-scarified seed. Selections from these were threshed and F3 planted in 20 ft rows in September. Some of these materials are also segregating for yellow vs green cotyledons and smooth vs wrinkled seed (different edible seed types). Objectives were to identifying lines that possessed high survival, productivity, and diversity of type for use in dryland annual/legumes cropping rotations for grazing as well as winterhardy edible types of garden peas (S. sativum ssp sativum). Variability for time of flowering and maturity was observed. Isolation of early maturing cultivars of grazing and feed pea types that would allow a fallow period before winter wheat and late maturing varieties for full season grazing or high yield feed pea production. Additional genetic variation was incorporated into the pea breeding program using F2 seed and self-progeny of three-way crosses from additional hybridization. The four-location cooperative study to evaluate the potential of 15 perennial grasses and forbs to extend the grazing season during the fall and winter was completed. Forage quality analyses have been completed and data are being prepared for publication (UT-ARS, MT, WY). Extensive pasture grass/legume variety evaluations for yield, persistence and quality were conducted in CO that reflected every region of the state. Winter wheat, winter barley and other cereals were evaluated for uses in extending fall grazing (UT). Perennial grasses and legumes to extend the grazing season were established in 1997 in Archer, WY. The maturing and weathering of stockpiled forages resulted in declines in nutritive value: however, some species decline in quality more slowly than others. 3. Encourage adoption of research findings into more appropriate management systems in western grazing lands. Accomplishments: Comparison of 15 alternative dryland rotations with and without winter peas demonstrated the inclusion of peas during the fallow period for lamb grazing resulted in higher average rates of return to farmland and reduced risks compared to traditional wheat-fallow rotations (WY). Research with ley cropping systems that utilize winterhardy medics (Medicago rigidula) demonstrated fall germination and good winter survival of one experimental line in 2000. Seed quantities have been increased to a sufficient level to allow for expanded agronomic and livestock grazing studies (WY). Efforts continued in development of spatial data layers for adaptation maps for climate and soils of U.S. and China and discussions related to quantitative tolerances of forage species adaptation and development of management systems to improve the value of private and public grazing lands, genetically improved cultivars, and forage adaptation mapping (OR). Irrigated alfalfa varieties were evaluated at four locations and grass legume mix at one location and grazingland management studies involving simulated rotational stocking on developmental morphology in a number of cool season grasses and diurnal variation in soluble CHO concentration were continued in 2001 (UT). Evaluation of silage fermentation to potentially reduce high nitrates under variable N fertilization and management did not support the concept in orchardgrass and perennial ryegrass (WA). Specialists in ID used forage testing to evaluate alfalfa quality in different environments particularly at low vs high elevations. They could not correlate forage quality from fiber analysis in 2nd cut hay to dairy producers‘ observation of markedly reduced milk production. They will develop additional forage tests and add environmental variables to prediction equations to improve prediction of animal intake and performance. Exchange information in timely fashion on the availability and adaptability of new germplasm and cultivars of forage species. 4. Exchange information in a timely fashion on the availability and adaptability of new germplasm and cultivars of forage species. Outcomes: Cooperative research and exchange of ideas and germplasm within WCC-091 and other interested scientists continues at annual meetings and through the URL. Impacts: Development and release of new plant cultivars and germplasm that are more tolerant of stress, more competitive and persistent, and easier to maintain on semiarid rangelands. This research has led to development and release of cultivars that will increase forage production and enhanced nutritional qualities for use by livestock and wildlife. The new cultivars have provided rangeland and pasture managers in semi-arid regions with a means to renovate disturbed lands, reduce soil erosion, and reduce invasion of undesirable weeds. One important outcome of the latter is reduction of fuel for wildfires on rangelands. Incorporating annual forage peas into cropping systems has provided a higher quality forage than on rangeland, decreased confined feedlot time to reach marketable body condition, increased profit margin, reduced risk, and improved the sustainability of the cropping system.for producers. On-farm demonstration trials in 2000 with the

Publications

Idaho Mayland, H.F., G.E. Shewmaker, P.A. Harrison, and N.J. Chatterton.2000. NonStructual Carbohydrates in tall fescue cultivars: Relationship to animal preference. Agron. J. 92: 1203-1206. Shewmaker, G. E., and H. F. Mayland. 2001. Harvest management effects on alfalfa management effects on alfalfa quality. In Proc. PSES 2001 Field Day Research and Extension Report, p 107-112. Shewmaker, G. E. 2001. Evaluate the quality of your hay and forage. p. 53-59 In Proc. 2001 Intermountain Cow Symposium. Twin Falls, ID, 10-11 Jan. 2001. Mayland, H.F., J.C.Burns. D.S. Fisher. and G.E. Shewmaker. Near infra-red measurement of nonstructural carbohydrates in alfafa hay. P. 404-405. In Proc. XIX Int. Grassland Congress, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, 10-21 Feb. 2001. Mayland, H.F., J.C.Burns. D.S. Fisher, G.E. Shewmaker, R. Carlstrom , and D.S. Cash. Herbivore preference for afternoon- and morning-cut forages and adoption of cutting management strategies. P. 405-406. In Proc. XIX Int. Grassland Congress, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil, 10-21 Feb. 2001. Oregon Hannaway, D.B., C. Daly, W. Gibson, G. Taylor, H. Wan, W. Luo, L. Liu, X. Han, L. Feng, Y. Wei, Y. Hu, L. Gao, X. Li, W. Zhang, Z. Xu, and A. Gu. 2000. GIS-based Forage Species Adaptation Mapping for China. Invited Presentation. Internat. Symp. On Intel. Agric. Inform. Tech., Beijing, China. Web Segment: http://www.forages.orst.edu/projects/wcc-091/default.cfm UTAH-ARS Angell, R., T. Svejcar, J. Bates, N.Z. Saliendra, and D.A. Johnson. 2001. Bowen ratio and closed chamber carbon dioxide flux measurements over sagebrush steppe vegetation. Agric. Forest Meteorol. 108: 153-161. Asay, K. H., W. H. Horton, K. B. Jensen, and A. J. Palazzo.2001. Merits of native and introduced Triticeae grasses on semiarid rangelands. Can. J. Plant Sci. 81: 45-52. Asay, K. H., K. B. Jensen, and B. L. Waldron. 2001. Responses of tall fescue cultivars to an irrigation gradient. Crop Sci. 41:350-357.. Asay, K. H., K. B. Jensen, T. A. Jones, B. L. Waldron, A. J. Palazzo, D. A. Johnson, W. H. Horton, and N. J. Chafterton. 2001. Breeding native and introduced grasses and legumes for the Northern Plains Area. Soc. Range Manage. Kilo Hawaii. Asay, K. H., H. F. Mayland, P. G. Jefferson, J. D. Berdahl, J. F. Karn, and B. L. Waldron. 2001. Parent-progeny relationships and genotype x environment effects for factors associated with grass tetany and forage quality in Russian wildrye. Crop Sci. 41:14781484. Hu, Z.-M., R. R.-C. Wang, S. R. Larson, A. J. Palazzo, K. H. Asay, and N. J. Chatterton. 2001. Selection response of molecular markers associated with anthocyanin coloration and low-temperature growth traits in crested wheatgrass. Can. J. Plant Sci. 81:665-671. Jefferson, P. G., H. F. Mayland, K. H. Asay, and J. D. Berdahl. 2001. Variation in mineral concentration and grass tetany potential among Russian wildrye accessions. Crop Sci. 41:543-548. Jensen, K. B., K. H. Asay, and B. L. Waldron. 2001. Dry matter production of orchardgrass and perennial ryegrass at five irrigation levels. Crop Sci. 41:479-487. Larsen, S.R., B.L. Waldron, S. Monsen, L. St. John, A.J. Palazzo, C.L. McCracken, R.D. Harrison. 2001. AFLP variation in agamospermous and dioecious bluegrasses of Western North America. Crop Sci. 41:1300-1305. Waldron, B.L., K.H. Asay, K.B. Jensen, and P.G. Johnson. 2001. RoadCrest crested wheatgrass- A new alternative low-maintenance grass for semiarid regions. Golf Course Management. June 2001 issue pp. 71-74. Wyoming Walsh, M. J., R. H. Delaney, R.W. Groose, and J.M. Krall. 2001. Performance of annual medic species (medicago spp) in Southeastern Wyoming. Agron. J 93: 1249-1256. Haag, A.A. 2001. Economics of incorporation of Austrian winter peas with alternative dryland crop rotations in Southeast Wyoming. M..S. Thesis, Dept. of Agric. and Appl.Econ. Univ. of WY, May 2001. Groose, R.W. 2001. Winter hardy annual medics on the U.S. Central Great Plains. Agron. Soc. Amer. Abstracts, Charlotte, NC.

Impact Statements

Date of Annual Report: 08/30/2003

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 01/09/2003 - 01/10/2003
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2002 - 12/01/2002

Participants

7 Ronald H. Delaney University of Wyoming

7 Thomas C. Griggs Utah State University

7 David W. Koch University of Wyoming

7 Blair L. Waldron USDA-ARS Utah

7 Glenn Shewmaker University of Idaho

7 Joe E. Brummer Colorado State University

7 Ray Ditterline Montana State University

7 Mike Ottman University of Arizona

7 Doug Zelesky (guest) Colorado State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

available online at http://129.82.121.243/wcc091

Accomplishments

1. Exchange of research approaches and results relating to the physiology, genetics,and breeding of stress resistance in forage species. And, 2. Identify forage species, cultivars, and experimental lines with potential to extend the livestock grazing season during the late fall and winter. Accomplishments: UT-ARS continued breeding programs to develop: 1) Salinity/alkaline tolerant forage kochia breeding lines from highly saline soils in Kazakhstan, 2) Tall fescue adaptation to the irrigated semiarid west, 3) Seedling vigor in western wheatgrass with emergence from deep soil depths, and 4) Forage kochia to extend the grazing season into late fall and winter. In 2002, seed was harvested from selected plants collected in Kazakhstan in 1999 and additional seed collected from Uzbekistan for future selections. This work is aimed at improving height and stature of forage kochia to expand its range on marginal rangelands. They have shown that variation in forage kochia should allow for the development of types specifically useful to extend the fall-winter grazing season. MT continued alfalfa cultivar selection for Phytophthora and Verticillium resistance but seed production continues to be problematic. This research has produced two promising varieties Shaw and Cooper for hay, haylage and green chop. Breeders at MT concluded a 10-year project that culminated in the release of ‘Montana‘ meadow bromegrass and ‘MacBeath‘ mountain bromegrass. Each outyielded common standard varieties. The WCC-091 Winter Forage Quality nursery has been maintained since 1997 and forage was subjected to grazing trials in 2000 and 2001. WY breeders are selecting alfalfa cultivars for resistance to brown root rot found at higher elevations. Wyoming continued testing of F2 Austrian winter pea (Pisum sativum ssp arvense) lines with objectives of high survival, productivity, and diversity for both grazing and edible garden peas. Researchers also found a 1 percent per year decrease in pea yield as a function of variety release year. Isolation of early maturing cultivars of grazing and feed pea types that would allow a fallow period before winter wheat and late maturing varieties for full season grazing or high yield feed pea production. Additional genetic variation was incorporated into the pea breeding program using F2 seed and self-progeny of three-way crosses from additional hybridization. AZ initiated work on glyphosate-resistant alfalfa and development of crop coefficients for alfalfa that will impact water allotments based on historic use. UT-SAES scientists investigated cereal crops that could be used to break alfalfa-alfalfa rotations and found barley>oat>triticale>wheat>annual ryegrass in terms of yield produced. Extensive pasture grass/legume variety and irrigation evaluations for yield, persistence and quality were continued in CO. These included variety trials, response of alfalfa to deficit irrigation, and interseeding cereals in millet for winter feeding Perennial grasses and legumes to extend the grazing season were established in 1997 in Archer, WY. The maturing and weathering of stockpiled forages resulted in declines in nutritive value: however, some species decline in quality more slowly than others. 3. Encourage adoption of research findings into more appropriate management systems in western grazing lands. Accomplishments: Specialists in ID used forage testing to evaluate alfalfa quality in different environments with emphasis on day and night temperatures, developed additional forage tests and added environmental variables to improve prediction equations for animal intake and performance. Current forage testing methodology is not reliable for comparing high versus low elevation grown hay or hay from different cuttings. This has important implications for forage and livestock producers in the intermountain west. WA completed a five-year study to evaluate silage fermentation to reduce nitrate. They found that pre- and post-ensiled grass differed little in nitrate reduction whether the nitrate was taken up by the plant or spiked with nitrate fertilizer as published elsewhere. Work in this area will continue with a new study investigating nitrate and hydrocyanic acid reduction in sudangrass. Efforts continued in development of spatial data layers for adaptation maps for climate and soils of U.S. and China and discussions related to quantitative tolerances of forage species adaptation and development of management systems to improve the value of private and public grazing lands, genetically improved cultivars, and forage adaptation mapping (OR). 4. Exchange information in a timely fashion on the availability and adaptability of new germplasm and cultivars of forage species. Accomplishments: Cooperative research and exchange of ideas and germplasm within WCC-091 and other interested scientists continues at annual meetings and through the URL. Discussion sessions at the annual meeting included: * Selecting forage species for climatic zones and environmental conditions. The use of an environmental index or GIS mapping was discussed. The dilemma appears to be lack of resources to do the number and complexity of trials necessary to recommend a more robust list of plant materials to producers. * Relative Forage Quality Index. It is proposed that the Relative Forage Quality Index replace the existing Relative Feed Value. It was felt the new index would better predict animal intake and performance since it is a summative approach of digestible nutrients. * Drought Effects on Plants 2002. Discussed survivability of meadows and forage under severe drought. Center of discussion was observations that some recovery occurred after fall rain, but loss of plant density and productivity is likely. UT-ARS released ‘RS-H‘ hybrid wheatgrass. It was an adaptation similar to ‘NewHy‘ wheatgrass but differs in that it is a natural hybrid from Turkey and is more of a bunch-type grass. Plans for Coming Years: WCC-091 scientists met in conjunction with WCC-161 in 2003 to evaluate the possibility of terminating WCC-091 in September 2004 and joining WCC-161. A decision on whether to pursue this will be made at the annual meeting in January 2004. In 2003, research will continue to focus on stress resistant varieties of alfalfa and other forage grasses and forbs. Additionally, work will continue on cultivars that will extend the fall and winter grazing season.

Publications

Asay, K.H., K.B. Jensen, B.L. Waldron, G. Han, D.A. Johnson, and T.A. Monaco. 2002. Forage quality of tall fescue across an irrigation gradient. Agron. J. 94:1337-1343. Blunt, K., R.L. Ditterline, S.D. Cash, L.E. Welty, L. Prestbye, D.W. Wichman, N. Karnes, K.D. Kephart, J. Bergman, J. Eckhoff, G. Harper. 2000. 1999 Alfalfa Varieties - Montana Performance Summaries. Montana Agr. Exp. Sta. Special Report 62. Revised 2000. Blunt, K., R. Ditterline, D. Cash, L. Welty, L. Strang, D. Wichman, K. Neill, K. Kephart, J. Bergman, J. Eckhoff, G. Harper. 2000. 1999 Summary of the Montana uniform intrastate alfalfa yield trials, pp. 25-46. In Cash, D. (Ed.) 1999 Alfalfa variety trial results - Western Alfalfa Improvement Conference. WAIC-15. Cash, S.D., K. Blunt, R.L. Ditterline, L. Welty, L. Strang, D. Wichman, K. Neill, K. Kephart, P. Lamb and J. Eckhoff. 2001. Alfalfa varieties for Montana.Performance summaries of the 2000 Montana uniform intrastate alfalfa variety yield trials. Mont. St. Univ. Ext. Serv. 31 pp. Cash, S.D., K. Blunt, R.L. Ditterline, L. Welty, L. Strang, D. Wichman, K. Neill, K. Kephart, P. Lamb and J. Eckhoff. 2001. Performance summaries of the 2000 Montana uniform intrastate alfalfa variety yield trials. West. Alfalfa Improv. Conf.16:21-54. Cash, D.C" R.L. Ditterine, D.M. Wichman, and M.E. Majerus. 200 . Registration of ‘MacBeth‘ meadow bromegrass. Crop Sci. (Submitted) Cash, D.C., R. L. Ditterine, D.M. Wichman, and M.E. Majerus. 200 . Registration of ‘Montana‘ meadow bromegrass. Crop Sci. (Accepted) Cash, S.D., R. Ditterline, D. Johnson, L. Strange, D. Wichman, K. Neill, K. Kephart, P. Lamb, J.Eckhoff and Gail Harper. 2002. 2002 Alfalfa varieties. Montana performance summaries in 2001. Montana St. Univ. Ext Serv. 32 pp Ditterline, R.L, R.L. Dunn, S.D. Cash, D.M. Wichman, L.E. Welty, J.L. Bergman, J. L. Eckhoff, M.E. Majerus, J.G. Scheetz, L.K. Holzworth, W. L. Morrill, K.R. Blunt, L.S. Strang and J. Vavrovsky. 200 . Registration of ‘Cooper‘ alfalfa. Crop Sci. Submitted. Ditterline, R.L, R.L. Dunn, S.D. Cash, D.M. Wichman, LE. Welty, J.L. Bergman, J. L. Eckhoff, M.E. Majerus, J.G. Scheetz, L. K. Holzworth, K.R. Blunt, L.S. Strang and J.Vavrovsky. 2001. Registration of ‘Shaw‘ alfalfa. Crop Sci. 41:264-265. Hannaway, D.B., C. Daly, W. Gibson, G. Taylor, J. P. Bolte, I. Sriprisan and T. Griggs. 2001 GIS-based Foreage species adaptation mapping. In: Proceedings XIX International Grasslands Congress, Sao Pedro, Brazil. P. 1080-1081. Hannaway, D.B., C. Daly, L. Coop, D., Chapman, y. Wei. 2003. GIS-based forage species adaptation mapping. Chapter in: FAO sponsored book, In Press. Harrison, R.D., B.L. Waldron, K.B. Jensen, R. Page, T.A. Monaco, W.H. Horton, and A.J. Palazzo. 2002. Forage kochia helps fight range fires. Rangelands. 24(5):3-7. Jensen, K.B., K.H. Asay, D.A. Johnson, and B.L. Waldron. 2002. Carbon isotope discrimination of orchardgrass and ryegrasses at four irrigation levels. Crop Sci. 42:1498-1503. Jensen, K.B., K.H. Asay, B.L. Waldron, D.A. Johnson, and T.A. Monaco. 2002. Forage quality traits of orchardgrass and perennial ryegrass at five irrigation levels. Agron. J. 95(3): (In Press). Jensen, K.B., K.H. Asay, B.L. Waldron. 2003. Registration of RS-H hybrid wheatgrass. Crop. Sci. (Accepted Sept 2002). Shewmaker, G.E. 2002. Grazing effects on nutrient distribution in pastures, p. 7-9 In: Proc. Idaho Nutrient Management Conference, Nampa, Idaho, 28 March 2002. Shewmaker, G.E., and H.F. Mayland. 2002. Nonstructural carbohydrates: Challenges and progress in forage testing. In: Proc. of Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference 8-10 October 2002, Vancouver, BC, Canada. Sleper, D.A., H.F. Mayland, R.J. Crawford, G.E. Shewmaker, and M.D. Massie. 2002. Registration of ‘HiMag‘ tall fescue germplasm. Crop Sci. 42:318-319. Stark, J, B. Brown, and G.E. Shewmaker. 2002. Southern Idaho fertilizer guide-irrigated alfalfa. University of Idaho Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station CIS 1102, April 2002. Velde, M., D. Undersander, P. Sun, D. Gardner, S. Wagner, B. Anderson, C. Brummer, J. Hanson, R. Leep, K. Roozeboom, C. Shaeffer, G. Shewmaker, K. Silveria, M. Smith, D. Swanson, R. Todd, M. Trummell, D. Viands, and M. Witt. 2002. Forage yield response of alfalfa to percent hybridism. In: Proc. of North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference 28-31 July 2002, Sacramento, CA. Waldron, B.L., K.H. Asay, K.B. Jensen. 2002. Stability and Yield of cool-season pasture grass species grown at five irrigation levels. Crop Sci. 42:890-896. Web Segments: http://forages.orst.edu/projects/wcc-091/ and http://blitzen.oce.orst.edu/arcims/adapt/ Wichman, D.M., L.E. Welty, L.M. Strang, J.W. Bergman, M.P. Westcott, G.F. Stallknecht, N.R. Riveland, and R.L. Ditterline. 2001. Assessing the forage production potential of safflower in the northern great plains and inter-mountain regions, pp. 269-273. Vth International Conference, Williston, ND