SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report
Sections
Status: Approved
Basic Information
- Project No. and Title: WCC91 : Improving Stress Resistance of Forages in the Western United States
- Period Covered: 01/01/2002 to 12/01/2002
- Date of Report: 08/30/2003
- Annual Meeting Dates: 01/09/2003 to 01/10/2003
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
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.
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.
Impacts
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
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