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Title: YIELD AND MINERAL CONCENTRATION OF HIMAG COMPARED TO OTHER TALL FESCUE CULTIVARS GROWN IN THE SOUTHERN PIEDMONT

Author
item Wilkinson, Stanley
item Mayland, Henry

Submitted to: Journal of Plant Nutrition
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/8/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Tall fescue is grown from the Mid-South to Canada. During spring seasons, tall fescue may pose a health hazard to grazing lactating cows called grass tetany. Grass tetany is a problem of insufficient Mg which at its extreme results in convulsions, death, and appreciable economic loss. High ratios of K to Ca and Mg in the grass are associated with increased potential for grass tetany. Prevention of grass tetany requires sufficient daily Mg intake because body Mg reserves in lactating females are inadequate to tide them over short periods of insufficient intake. The surest way to prevent grass tetany is to have higher levels of Mg in the grass diet. HiMag is an experimental tall fescue cultivar developed in the Mid-West specifically for higher Ca and Mg concentrations and lower K to Ca and Mg ratios. The purpose of this research was to determine the yield and persistence of HiMag relative to existing popular tall fescue cultivars, as well as to determine the effect of this region's soil and climate on its mineral composition. HiMag's yield and persistence qualities were similar to, but not superior to those of Kentucky 31 tall fescue. HiMag's mineral composition was superior to that of the other tall fescue cultivars in the study particularly from the aspect of prevention of grass tetany. Further research to determine the impact of HiMag's improved mineral composition on performance and health of grazing animals in warranted.

Technical Abstract: HiMag is an experimental cultivar derived from Missouri 96 and Kentucky 31 tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) parentage for increased Ca, Mg and reduced K/(Ca+Mg). Our objective was to determine productivity and mineral characteristics of endophyte-free (E-) HiMag in relation to standard tall fescue cultivars. HiMag (E-) and K31 (E-) were grown at two levels of P, K, and lime additions to severely eroded, and a non-eroded Cecil soil (clayey, kaolinitic, thermic family of Typic Hapludults). Herbage Ca and Mg were greater and K/(Ca+ Mg) and yield were less for HiMag than for K31. Herbage yields, P, Ca and Mg concentrations were increased by P, K and lime additions. In experiment 2, HiMag(E-), K31(E-), endophyte-infected K31(E+), Mo I (E+), Mo II (E+), and AU Triumph (E-) were planted in a prepared seedbed or planted without tillage. HiMag yield response to no-till planting, past soil erosion, and fertilizer level was similar to that of K31 (E). Fertilizer, and soil condition affected the mineral levels in HiMag and K31 (E), but K/(Ca+Mg) values were more favorable in HiMag. All tall fescue cultivars established equally well in no-till or prepared seedbeds. HiMag s agronomic attributes, while not superior to other cultivars, were sufficient to justify further testing to improve Mg nutrition of grazing animals.