Belowground responses of rhizoma peanut-bahiagrass mixtures across three on-farm locations

Authors: QUEIROZ, LUANA - University Of Florida; DUBEUX, JOSE - University Of Florida; SOLLENBERGER, LYNN - University Of Florida; VENDRAMINI, JOAO - University Of Florida; LIAO, SUNNY - University Of Florida; Jaramillo, David; SANTOS, ERICK - University Of Florida; SILVA, HIRAN - University Of Florida; GARCIA, LIZA - University Of Florida; RUIZ-MORENO, MARTIN - University Of Florida

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/12/2021
Publication Date: 11/12/2021
Citation: Queiroz, L., Dubeux, J., Sollenberger, L., Vendramini, J., Liao, S., Jaramillo, D.M., Santos, E., Silva, H., Garcia, L., Ruiz-Moreno, M. 2021. Belowground responses of rhizoma peanut-bahiagrass mixtures across three on-farm locations. Meeting Abstract. ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, UT.

Interpretive Summary: Introducing forage legumes into grass swards is a management practice that may increase the sustainability of pasture systems and decrease reliance on N fertilizers. The options for warm-season perennial legumes have been limited, however, rhizoma peanut has been well adapted to pasture systems in southeastern United States. The objective was to evaluate the belowground responses, 5 years after their establishment, in bahiagrass-rhizoma peanut mixtures versus bahiagrass in monoculture across three on-farm locations in Florida. Across all locations, ecoturf contributed more to the belowground biomass than Florigraze, indicating a greater potential for soil carbon storage.

Technical Abstract: Introducing forage legumes into grass swards is a management practice that may increase the sustainability of pasture systems and decrease reliance on N fertilizers. The options for warm-season perennial legumes have been limited, however, rhizoma peanut has been well adapted to pasture systems in southeastern United States. The objective was to evaluate the belowground responses, 5 years after their establishment, in bahiagrass-rhizoma peanut mixtures versus bahiagrass in monoculture across three on-farm locations in Florida. A two-year on-farm experiment was conducted from May to October at three on-farm sites in North, Central, and South Florida. At all locations, treatments were the split-plot arrangement of three vegetation types: bahiagrass (BG) monoculture, BG + rhizoma peanut (RP) cv. ‘Florigraze’; BG + RP germplasm Ecoturf; And two defoliation regimes (defoliated or undefoliated, subplot factor). The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with four replicates. Harvests occurred at 56-d intervals, and two harvests were performed per year in each site. Roots and rhizomes were sampled at each experimental site using a hole cutter at the end of the second harvest, during both years. Three soil cores were collected from each subplot. Samples were dried at 55°C for 72 h and weighed thereafter. Samples were washed using a sieve (1.81 mm), dried once again at 55 °C for 72 h, and dry weights recorded. Root and rhizome mass per hectare was estimated considering soil bulk density and 0- to 20-cm soil depth. In two of the three locations, greater belowground biomass was observed when bahiagrass was mixed with Ecoturf RP. Furthermore, Ecoturf contributed more to the belowground biomass than Florigraze.