2011 WSU Alternative Forage and Fodder Crop Field Trials

Transcription

1 2011 WSU Alternative Forage and Fodder Crop Field Trials Locations:, Carnation WA and Cooperators: Chris Benedict, Carol Miles, Andrew Corbin, Erik Haakensen Website: Methods: The trial at was planted on 22 June 2011 and consisted of 22 beds (5 wide, 3 planted rows) [at least three replications of each crop type/variety], along with pasture strips as described below (Figure 1 & 2). Prior to planting 10 T/A of chicken manure was applied and incorporated during field preparation. All beds and pasture were planted on the same day. Beds were 250 feet in length. The entire trial was 1.5 A and beds ran east and west. All crops were seeded with a belly-mounted Planet Junior plate-planter (Table 1). Crop rows were cultivated twice on 17 July 2011 and 8 August Crops were harvested on 27 September 2011 (97 days after planting [DAP]) by taking one row meter of each crop type ( with three replications) and a 1/4m 2 of the pasture. Crop types that included both forage and fodder had roots separated from shoots (fodder beets, turnips, rutabagas) and bagged separately whereas those that included only forage (kale, chicory) samples were only taken from the above-ground portion of the plant. Samples were immediately weighed (fresh weight g) and then taken to and placed into ovens (99F) until dried. Samples were then weighed again to obtain a dry weight. WSU Northwestern Research and Extension Center (NWREC) Field preparation consisted of traditional plowing and discing. The trial at was planted on 7 July 2011 by a Nordsten Lift Omatic seeder. Planting rates are shown in Table 2. Each type of crop was planted into plots (16 ) by making two passes with the grain drill. Each type was replicated three times for a total of six plots per type/variety. Plant populations counts occurred 27 DAP (Table 3). Crops were harvested on 11 October 2011 (96 DAP) by taking one row meter of each crop type in each replication. Samples were immediately weighed (fresh weight g) and then placed into ovens until dried (99F). Samples were then weighed again to obtain a dry weight. Forage and Fodder Sample Quality Analysis All dried samples were then sent to CVS Labs (Cumberland, MD) for laboratory analysis (dry matter, moisture, crude protein %DM, adjusted protein %DM, adjusted protein %CP, soluble protein %DM, soluble protein %CP, acid detergent fiber %DM, acid detergent fiber % NDF, neutral detergent fiber %DM, Ash % DM, Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu).

2 Results Observations throughout the season showed low insect and rodent damage that in past years was heavy or spotty within a given field. This may in part be the result of the cool spring. Weather data from the station (WSU AgWeatherNet) showed 1992 growing degree days [GDD] (Base 40F) accumulated and 2190 GDD (Base 40F) accumulated at (from planting to harvest date). At the GDD (base 40F) during the growing period was ; a bit lower than GDD accumulation in At, local weather data (Woodinville, WA) is only available from Average accumulated GDD during the project period was considerably lower than Seeding rates at were not calculated, but plant population counts for are shown in Table 4. Plant populations between sites were significantly different between sites; with populations higher for all crops at. This could be attributable to the different seeding methods (vegetable seeder vs. grain drill) at the two sites. Yield values showed a considerable numerical difference between sites (Table 5, Figure 4). For all crops yields were higher at. This may be attributable to the lower population densities as compared to those at Jubilee Farm. This allowed for better plant establishment and growth. Additionally, the amount of root allocation at WSU NWREC was slightly higher; this is particularly important for those crops that produce roots (fodder beets, turnips) and resulted in higher total yields. Highlights from lab analysis results are shown in Table 6. Crude protein levels were higher in shoot portions when compared to root portions for all crops (where applicable). As with yield there was a site variation in crude protein levels; though there was not a clear trend with one site being consistently different than the other. When sites were pooled total plant mean crude protein levels were (highest to lowest): 16.4 ( Purple Top turnip), 16.2 ( Major Plus rutabaga), ( Pacer chicory), 13.1 ( Maris kale), 11.7 ( Yellow Cylindrical fodder beet), 11.4 ( Pasja turnip), 11.2 ( Mammoth Red fodder beet). With the exception of Pacer chicory, acid detergent (ADF) and neutral detergent (NDF) fibers were higher at for all crops. When combined across sites and all plant components ADF values (% DM) were (highest to lowest): 23.7 ( Maris kale), 19.7 ( Pacer chicory), 17.5 ( Purple Top turnip), 16.8 ( Pasja turnip), 16.5 ( Major Plus rutabaga), 12.5 ( Mammoth Red fodder beet), 12.4 ( Yellow Cylindrical fodder beet). When combined across sites and all plant components NDF values (% DM) were (highest to lowest): 26.9 ( Maris kale), 23.5 ( Pacer chicory), 20.5 ( Purple Top turnip), 16.8 ( Pasja turnip), 18.8 ( Major Plus rutabaga), 19.4 ( Mammoth Red fodder beet), 20.1 ( Yellow Cylindrical fodder beet). Trial, Trial, 2011.

3 Table 1. Planet Junior planting Plates used at, Crop PJ Plate Used 'Major Plus' Rutabaga 7 'Mammoth Red' Fodder Beet 26 'Yellow Cylindrical' Fodder Beet 26 'Purple Top' Turnip Table 2. Nordsten Lift Omatic Seeder seeding rates at, Planting Rate Crop Variety (lbs/a) Fodder Beet 'Yellow Cylindrica 10 Fodder Beet 'Mammouth Red' 10 Chicory 'Pacer' 8 Turnip 'Purple Top' 8 Turnip 'Pasja' 8 Rutabaga (swede) 'Major Plus' 1 Kale 'Maris' 4 Table 3. Plant population counts at, 4 August Plant Stand (1 row meter) Crop Variety AVG STDEV Yellow Beet Cylindrical Beet Mamouth Chicory Pacer Turnip Purple Top Turnip Pasja Swede Major Plus Kale Maris

4 Table 4. Plant population count at, 27 September 2011 Plant Stand (1 row meter) Height (cm) Crop Variety AVG STDEV AVG STDEV Kale Maris Turnip Pasja Turnip Purple Top Beet Mamouth Yellow Beet Cylindrical Chicory Pacer Table 5. Yield Values for and, FW Yield (Tons/acre) FW Yield (tons/acre) Shoot % Total Root Total Shoot % Total Root Total Crop Variety Mean Mean Beet Mamouth % % Beet Yellow Cylindrical % % Chicory Pacer % % 4.2 Kale Maris % % 20.9 Swede Major Plus % Turnip Pasja % % Turnip Purple Top % %

5 Table 6. Lab Analysis of Alternative Forage and Fodder Crops, Fibers Crude Protein Acid Detergent (ADF) Neutral Detergent (NDF) Crop Variety Location Portion (%) Combined Plant Mean (% DM) Combined Plant Mean (% DM) Combined Plant Mean Shoot Root 'Mammoth Red' Shoot Root Fodder Beet Shoot Root 'Yellow Cylindrical' Shoot Root Shoot Kale Maris Shoot Shoot Root 'Pasja' Shoot Root Turnip Shoot Root 'Purple Top' Shoot Root Shoot Rutabaga 'Major Plus' Root Shoot Chicory 'Pacer' Shoot

6 Figure 1. Type and Variety Planting at, 2011 Bed # 'Major Plus' Rutabaga 'Mammoth Red' Fodder Beet 'Yellow Cylindrical' Foddder Beet 'Purple Top' Turnip 'Major Plus' Rutabaga 'Mammoth Red' Fodder Beet 'Yellow Cylindrical' Foddder Beet 'Purple Top' Turnip 'Major Plus' Rutabaga 'Mammoth Red' Fodder Beet 'Yellow Cylindrical' Foddder Beet 'Purple Top' Turnip 'Major Plus' Rutabaga 'Mammoth Red' Fodder Beet 'Yellow Cylindrical' Foddder Beet 'Purple Top' Turnip ' Figure 2. /Co-Ensile Trial at, Bed # (Standard Mix + Crimson (Standard Mix + Crimson (Standard Mix + Crimson (Standard Mix + Crimson (Standard Mix + Crimson '

7 Figure 3. Plot Map of Planting at, PLOT MAP Row length 400 ft. Each plot is 2 passes. NORTH ^ Plot Yellow Cylindrical Beet 101 Mammoth Red Beet 102 Chicory ft. Purple Top Turnip 104 Rep 1 Pasja Turnip 105 Swede 106 Maris Kale 107 Yellow Cylindrical Beet 201 Mammoth Red Beet 202 Chicory ft. Purple Top Turnip 204 Rep 2 Pasja Turnip 205 Swede 206 Maris Kale 207 Yellow Cylindrical Beet 301 Mammoth Red Beet 302 Chicory ft. Purple Top Turnip 304 Rep 3 Pasja Turnip 305 Swede 306 Maris Kale 307 < 400 ft. >

8 Figure 4. Comparison of fresh weight yield values at and, 2011.