Forage crops variety testing 1979

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FORAGE

CROPS VARIETY TESTING

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Crop Science Extension Specialists

Published by

THE NORTH CAROLINA AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICE

North Carolina State University at Raleigh. North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University at Greensboro. and the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Cooperating. State University Station, Raleigh, N. C., T. C. Blalock, Director. Distributed in furtherance of the Acts of Congress of May 8 and June 30. 1914. The North Carolina Agricultural Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race. color, or national origin, and is an equal opportunity employer.

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1

INTRODUCTION

EVALUATION OF FORAGE CROP VARIETIES IN NORTH CAROLINA

New forage varieties and hybrids are constantly being released from public and private sources. In addition, forage breeders are continually interested in testing experimentals under a variety of growing conditions. In order to determine adaptability and productivity, it is necessary that these forages be tested under North Carolina growing conditions. The purpose of this publication is to present comparative data on forages tested in North Carolina.

The varieties tested are classed into three major groups: winter annuals (such as rye, wheat, oats, barley, ryegrass and legumes); summer annuals (such as sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, pearl millet and sudangrass); and perennial forages (such as alfalfa, ladino clover, red clover, orchardgrass and tall fescue). All varieties are managed on a multiple-cut system with most varieties being clipped three or more times to simulate, as nearly as possible, rotational grazing or haying conditions. Silage information is not included in this publication.

Since yield is considered one of the major factors in comparing forages, dry-forage yields are reported for all entries tested. Crude protein is reported for annual grasses.

Weather-gathering instruments are often not available at the exact test sites. Climatological data are presented from stations nearest a given test and are listed in the appendix. In most cases reporting stations are relatively close to the tests.

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interest to the department. All varieties are from certified sources or from sources which would be able to verify origin. This gives assurance as to the purity of the entries tested and results reported here could likely be reproduced.

Annual forage tests are conducted on private farms as well as state experiment stations. The perennial tests are located solely on state experiment stations. Cooperators are listed in Table 1. The Forage Variety Testing Program expresses appreciation to these individuals and to the county extension agents and their staffs for assistance in conducting these tests.

Statistical analyses and most other computations are made in the Statistical Laboratory and Computing Center at North Carolina State University. Supervision of these operations is by Dr. John

o.

Rawlings and Mrs. Sandra Donaghy.

Nitrogen analyses are conducted by the Department of Soil Science, Analytical Service Laboratory at N. C. State University under the supervision of Drs. C. B.

McCants~ W. P. Robarge and Ms. Beverly Johnson.

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Table 1.

3

Names and addresses of cooperators and extension staff in 1978 North Carolina Forage Variety Trials.

Winter Annual Forages

Extension Agent or Experiment Station

Howell Gentry

Harold M. Flanagan

Summer Annual Forages T. M Winborne, Jr.

Clyde Z. McSwain

Perennial Forages Clyde Z. McSwain

Dana Tugman

Ray Campbell

J. R. Edwards

Howell Gentry

Reidsville, N. C. Rockingham County Farmville, N. C. Pitt County

Lucoma , N. C. Wilson County Salisbury, N. C. Rowan County

Salisbury, N. C. Rowan County

Laurel Springs, N. C. Ashe County

Oxford, N. C. Granville County Waynesville, N. C. Haywood County Reidsville, N. C. Rockingham County

Upper Piedmont Research Station, Warren Bailey Scott Shoulars

Mike Regans

R. C. Hunt

Piedmont Research Station David Hall

Upper MOuntain Research Station

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• WINTER ANNUAL GRASSES

• SUMMER ANNUAL GRASSES

00

PERENNIAL GRASSES

*"

ALFALFA

..A

RED CLOVERS

+

LADINO CLOVERS

+

BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL

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Table 2. Geographical information on 1978 forage variety test locations. Crop Perennial Forages Sunnner Annuals Perennial Forages Perennial Forages Perennial Forages Perennial Forages Winter Annuals Winter Annuals Sunnner Annuals Location

Piedmont Research Station Salisbury, North Carolina Central Piedmont, Rowan County Approx. Elev. 825 feet

Oxford Tobacco Research Station Oxford, North Carolina

Northern Piedmont Granville County Approx. Elev. 500 feet.

Northern Mountain Research Sta. Laurel Springs, North Carolina Ashe County

Approx. Elev. 2960 feet. Mountain Research Station Waynesville, North Carolina Southern Mountains

Haywood County

Approx. E1ev. 2650 feet. Upper Piedmont Research Sta. Reidsville, North Carolina Upper Piedmont

Rockingham County Approx. E1ev. 890 feet. Harold M. Flannagan Farmville, North Carolina Coastal Plain

Pitt County

Approx. E1ev. 80 feet. T. M. Wilburn, Jr. Lucoma, North Carolina Coastal Plain

Wilson County

Approx. E1ev. 135 feet.

Soil

Davidson-Mecklenburg Association Dark red clay loam soil with firm red clay, thick subsoil

Helena-Wilkes Association Gray sandy loam soil with firm clay subsoil. Eroded.

Clifton-Porter Association Brownish loam soil with medium thick, brown moderately firm clay loam subsoil.

Halewood-Hayesville Association Gray-brown loam with red friable clay subsoil.

Appling-Cecil Association Sandy clay loam surface soil with red, firm clay subsoil.

Dunbar-Lynchburg Association Gray sandy loam surface soil with yellow moderately firm subsoil.

Norfolk-Ruston Association Light gray surface soil with yellow sandy clay loam subsoil.

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

Generally accepted research techniques for small-plot experiments were employed on all tests. Cultural practices were in accord with sound research techniques. Fertilization, seeding rates, dates, and other cultural information of a given test are listed with the table which gives dry matter yields by harvests for that test.

Unless the reader is directly interested in the experimental procedures, he may desire to continue with the Results and Discussion Section.

The experimental design used for all tests was a randomized complete block with five replications. Plot dimensions were 20 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide, with the exception of 2 3/4 foot plots for summer annuals and 5 foot plots for ladino clover. Blocks were separated by not less than 2 1/2 feet and all tests were bordered by material either identical or comparable to that included in the test

In tests which included different species with major differences in seasonal productivity, borders were maintained between species.

All plots except ladino clover contained three rows nine inches apart. Seeding was accomplished with a push-type Planet Jr. Seeder which was calibrated for each variety. Ladino clover plots were seeded by hand, raked and cultipacked with a five foot cultipacker.

Seeding rates for all tests conducted were adjusted to 100 percent germination based on a germination test conducted just prior to planting.

Seeding dates for various tests are shown on tables which show seasonal yields for a given test. In general, perennials and winter annuals were seeded in September while summer annuals were seeded in May.

Standard practices were employed in seed bed preparation.

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7

The height in inches of stubble left after harvesting was as follows: alfalfa, 3; other perennials and winter annual grasses, 2 1/2; and summer annual grasses, 6.

Harvesting procedure included drying either the whole-plot sample or a subsample from all plots. Subsampling was necessary in some cases due to the bulk of material being handled and a shortage of drying space. When subsamples were used, all the plots in a test were subsampled.

Samples were dried in a forced air drier at 1300 Fahrenheit. Moisture remaining in the samples was determined to be from five to nine percent. Extreme variations did not exist within separate harvests and no attempt was made to standardize dry weight yields to a constant moisture level. Thus the term "dry forage" as stated in the tables refers to oven-dry forage containing 5-9% moisture.

Nitrogen determinations were made on each entry from samples composited over five replications on each harvest. Nitrogen was determined by Kjeldahl procedure and crude protein was calculated from percent nitrogen multiplied by 6.25.

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WINTER ANNUAL FORAGES

Small grains and ryegrass are an important part of the winter feeding program on many North Carolina farms. Winter annuals can be of particular importance in supplying supplemental energy and protein for silage or hay-fed animals. Maximum production of winter annual grasses occurs in the early spring when feed supplies are generally short; therefore, farmers should consider the suitability of small grain or ryegrass or a mixture of the two in their feed program.

Seasonal yield should be considered in making any decision on varieties or species. Rye is generally earlier in spring forage production and in termination of growth than ryegrass. Therefore, rye is better suited to a double-cropping program than ryegrass. Ryegrass usually produces more forage than rye during late Apri I and the month of May.

Ryegrass may become a pest since it volunteers readily. This is especially true in the Piedmont when it is used in rotation with the small grains or alfalfa. Infestation by ryegrass in small grains, alfalfa and cultivated crops has frequently been a problem in the past; however, herbicides can now be used effectively to reduce this problem in alfalfa. Refer to the latest North Carolina Pesticide Manual for specific information. Wheat and barley appear to be more valuable as silages than for grazing. Winter oats are often grown with crimson clover for hay; however, growing winter oats is always uncertain due to the possibility of winter kill.

Winter annual clovers such as crimson, arrowleaf and subterranean may become important components of annual pastures in the future. Their ability to supply significant amounts of nitrogen to grazing animals and subsequent crops is noteworthy, especially as nitrogen costs increase. Clovers also add quality to pure grass pastures.

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9

WINTER ANNUAL FORAGES

Table 3. Name, address and variety designation of agencies sponsoring entries in the 1978 trials.

Name

Gurley Milling Company

McNair Seed Company

North American Plant Breeders

N. C. Agricultural Extension Service

Pennington Grain and Seed, Inc.

International Seeds, Inc.

Berger

&

Plate Company

Pickseed West, Inc.

Address Selma North Carolina Laurinburg North Carolina Box 586 Hutchinson, Kansas Raleigh North Carol ina

Box 290

Madison, Georgia

P. O. Box 168 Halsey, Oregon 1 California Street San Francisco California P. O. Box 888 Tangent, Oregon

Cultivar Designation

Gurley Grazer 2000 Rye Gurley GI 75 Rye Gurley GI 76 Rye Gurley Abruzzi Rye McNair Vita-Graze Rye

NAPB ROOSI +Meritra Ryegrass Meritra Ryegrass

NAPB ROOSI Ryegrass McNair 1813 Wheat Boone Barley Clayton Barley Carolee Oats Wrenn's Abruzzi Rye Salem Oats

Gulf Ryegrass

Yucchi Arrowleaf Clover Crimson Clover (Oregon grown) Mt. Barker Subterranean Clover Wintergrazer 70 Rye

Wintergrazer Wintergrazer A TNT Ryegrass Penploid 2 Ryegrass Lush Ryegrass

Tibbee Crimson Clover

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RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

FVT 154 - Piedmont, Rockingham County

Initial stands were excellent, but by early spring significant cold injury was evident in the oats and ryegrasses. The two oat varieties were completely killed, while several of the ryegrasses appeared to have suffered some stand loss. The varieties Lush and Gulf were most severely injured (25%-30%) followed by Meritra, NAPB 0051, Meritra + NAPB 0051 (12%-18%) and Felopa (5%).

With the exception of the oat varieties, all the small grains yielded more than two tons of dry forage per acre. In general, the ryes yielded more than the other small grain types.

Ryegrass yields appear to be directly related to the amount of winter damage noted.

Crude protein percentages for the winter annual grasses were very high, particularly at the first harvest. In general the ryegrasses were higher in crude protein than the cereals.

The winter annual legumes did not produce any harvestable growth during the fall. The crimson clover produced the most early growth, but arrowleaf and sub-clover dry matter production was increased during May. No attempt was made to harvest forage remaining below the cutter bar at the last harvest for sub-clover.

Because of the prostrate growth habit of Mt. Barker sub-clover, it is estimated that an unusually high proportion of its total yield may have escaped harvest. FVT 155 - Coastal Plain, Pitt County

During the first week in October a severe infestation of fall armyworms caused a loss of fall yield.

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11

Table 4. FVT 154 Winter annual forages, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rockingham County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage Yie1ds!/

Entry

Annual Clovers Mt. Barker SUb.l / Oregon Crimson Tibbee Crimson Yucchi Arrow1eaf Mean of Test L.S.D. (.05)

( .01) Ryegrass Fe10pa

Meritra +NAPB 0051 NAPB 0051

Meritra Lush Gulf

Mean of Test L.S.D. (.05) ( .01) Small Grains 11/1 18 189 230 151 414 272 213 112 153 Harvest Dates 11/21 3/24 4/6

296 585 661 576 768 704 598 184 251 4/20 206 2143 1839 233 1105 179 251 769 837 682 692 253 81 552 182 249 5/18 1075 948 671 1725 1105 363 508 4287 3500 3243 3206 3080 1411 3123 465 634 Total 1281 3091 2510 1958 2210 835 1171 5370 5111 4816 4625 4524 2468 4486 676 922

Gurley Abruzzi Rye 1008 Wrenn's Abruzzi Rye 825 Gurley Grazer 2000 Rye 949

Gl 76 Rye 207

Vita-Graze Rye 1145

Gl 75 Rye 680

Boone Barley 781

Clayton Barley 851

McNair 1813 Wheat 481

Caro1ee Oats 1047

Salem OatS 596

Mean of Test 779

L.S.D. (.05) 338

(.01) 453 952 1103 1063 844 831 729 686 814 877 882 900 880 N.S. N.S. 861 863 770 856 875 814 114 155 266 Winter 619 216 290 1592 1477 1371 1586 1084 1417 904 545 672 Killed 1176 308 414 352 356 280 386 285 336 850 652 494 443 160 215 2018 1989 1648 1979 1627 1691 1970 2218 1475 1846 N.S. N.S. 6783 6553 6081 5858 5847 5667 5305 5235 4265 1929 1496 5003 687 920

l /A f f" 1 " "

- verage 0 lve rep lcatlons.

Seeded September 1, 1977 at rate of: Ryegrass - 40 1bs/acre, Rye - 2 bu/acre, Barley - 2 bu/acre, Wheat - 3 bu/acre, Oats - 2 bu/acre, Clovers - 20 1bs/acre. Fertilization: 45 1b~/acre P_205, _{135 1bs/acre K20 at seeding. 9/15 - 50# N.}

50 1bs. N/acre after each harvesE except last. One ton lime. lIlt is estimated that 20% of total yield of Sub Clover escapes harvest due to

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Table 5. FVT 154

North Carolina - 1978.

Percent and Pounds Per Acre Crude proteiul/

Harvest Dates

11/1 11/21 3/24 4/6 4/20 5/18 Total

Entry % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. Pounds

-Ryegrass

Fe Lop a 32.7 6 28.0 83 27.3 210 16.7 7.5 1014

Heritra

+

NAPB 0051 33.2 63 27.4 160 24.5 205 17.3 604 1032

NAPB 0051 35.0 81 28.3 187 24.8 169 17.5 568 1005

Meritra 33.4 51 27.6 159 26.4 183 18.3 587 980

Lush 31.9 132 28.5 219 28.9 73 16.6 514 938

Gulf 33.3 90 28.3 199 25.7 21 16.3 229 539

Mean of Test 33.3 70 27.0 168 26.3 143 17.1 536 917 I--'

N

Small Grains

Gurley Abruzzi Rye 31.3 316 22.7 216 25.0 215 23.3 371 24.4 86 14.0 282 1486

Wrenns Abruzzi Rye 32.4 267 22.8 252 23.9 206 25.2 357 26.1 93 16.9 336 1511

Gurley Grazer 2000 Rye 31.6 300 25.6 272 24.3 187 23.8 326 25.3 71 16.0 264 1420

GI 76 Rye 34.5 72 25.9 219 24.3 208 24.9 395 27.3 95 15.1 298 1287

Vita-Graze Rye 28.7 329 23.6 196 22.3 195 24.0 260 25.6 73 16.0 236 1289

GI 75 Rye 33.7 229 23.5 171 25.0 203 24.6 349 24.0 80 16.3 241 1273

Boone Barley 31.3 245 27.8 191 19.7 23 25.8 233 21.4 235 17.5 345 1272

Clayton Barley 31.1 265 22.5 183 21.5 33 26.4 144 23.4 153 17.1 378 1156

McNair 1813 Wheat 31.3 151 22.5 197 22.8 60 24.0 161 21.4 106 15.8 232 907

Caro1ee Oats 28.4 297 22.0 193 Winter Kill 490

Salem Oats 31.8 190 22.0 226 416

Mean of Test 31.5 242 23.7 211 23.2 148 24.7 288 24.3 110 16.1 290 1289

1/C . f f· 1 · ·

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13

Table 6. Winter annual forages, long-term averages of dry forage yield and crude protein. Piedmont, North Carolina - 1978.

Dry Forage Yie1d- and

II

Crude

Protei~/in

Pounds Per Acre

1976 1977 1978 Average

Forage Crude Foragecrude Foragecrude Forage Crude

Entry Yield Protein Yield Protein Yield Protein Yield Protein

Ryegrass

Lush 4524 938

NAPB 0051 2317 414 4816 1005 3567 710

Meritra 6163 1028 2475 447 4625 980 4421 818

Meritra

+

NAPB 0051 5111 1032

Gulf 6816 1138 2925 468 2468 539 4070 715

Fe10pa 5370 1014

~

Gurley Grazer 2000 5101 944 4072 641 6081 1420 5085 1002

Gurley Abruzzi 4690 790 6783 1486 5737 1138

GI 75 5582 1067 4684 770 5667 1273 5311 1037

GI 76 5186 956 4581 733 5858 1287 5208 992

Vita-Graze 4743 808 4404 655 5847 1289 4998 917

Wrenns Abruzzi 6553 1511

Oats

Salem 1701 274 1496 416 1599 345

Caro1ee 3291 590 2212 352 1929 490 2477 477

Barley

Boone 3198 505 5305 1272 4252 889

Clayton 3463 692 3071 489 5235 1156 3923 779

Wheat

HcNair 1813 2857 448 4265 907 3561 678

Annual Clovers

Tibbee Crimson 2510

Oregon Crimson 3091

Mt. Barker Sub. 1281

Yucchi Arrow1eaf 1958

l/Average of five replications.

2/ C " f f i 1 " "

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Table 7. FVT 155 Winter annual forages, dry forage yields. Coastal Plain, Pitt County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage Yields!/

Entry

Annual Clovers

11/15 3/23

Harvest Dates

4/6 4724 5/10 Total

Oregon Crimson Tibbee Crimson Yucchi Arrowleaf Mt. Barker Sub.

Mean of Test

L.S.D. (.05) ( .01) Ryegrass Gulf Lush NAPB 0051 Penp10id 2

NAPB Meri tra

+

NAPB 0051 TNT

Meritra Fe10pa

Mean of Test

L.S.D. (.05) ( .01)

Small Grains

Wintergrazer 70 Rye Gurley Grazer 2000 Rye Wrenn's Abruzzi Rye Gurley Abruzzi Rye Wintergrazer A Rye Vita-Graze Rye GI 75 Rye Wintersrazer Rye GI 76 Rye Clayton Barley McNair 1831 Wheat Caro1ee Oat Boone Barley Salem Oats

Mean of Test

L.S .D. (.05) ( .01) 708 588 388 546 393 338 286 306 192 264 182 325 175 319 358 198 264 204 233 29 20 121 122 172 146 227 250 151 239 138 29 7 148 93 126 1318 1773 1880 1825 1011 1789 1488 610 1127 191 364 226 131 235 998 307 409 1850 1976 1154 61 1260 287 402 971 992 1052 1014 935 994 620 290 859 204 276 1372 797 663 713 1490 567 844 1405 907 1310 882 525 1300 527 950 197 263 1070 812 1641 534 1014 214 300 1481 1119 1019 1159 1060 1054 1183 940 1127 155 209 907 1041 1193 1036 930 969 933 1008 977 797 806 1057 520 1017 942 214 286 593 555 642 912 675 N.S. N.S. 488 617 582 531 618 539 504 729 576 N.S. N.S. 3717 3576 3466 1527 3070 585 820 3086 2955 2903 2855 2852 2725 2336 1966 2710 384 518 4305 4199 4124 ·4120 3824 3663 3551 3329 3203 2562 2234 2133 2126 2098 3248 499 665

Seeded September 19, 1977 at rate of: Rye - 2 bu/acre, Wheat - 3 bu/acre, Oats 2 bu/acre, Barley 2 bu/acre, Ryegrass 40 1bs/acre, Clovers -20 1bs/acre.

Fertilization: October 6, 1977 50 1bs. N, 75 1bs. K₂₀ per acre ~s p~r soil test. 50 1bs. N after each harvest except last.

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Table 8. FVT 155 Winter annual grasses percent and pounds per acre crude protein. Coastal Plain, Pitt County, North Carolina - 1978.

Percent and Pounds Per Acre Crude Protein!/

Harvest Dates

11/15 3/23 4/6 4/24 5/10 Total

Entry % Lbs , % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. % Lbs , Pounds

-Ryegrass

Gulf 17.2 25 20.1 195 10.8 160 15.1 74 454

Lush 19.3 44 19.4 193 13.8 155 13.2 81 473

NAPB 0051 16.9 42 17.5 184 12.0 122 14.9 87 435

Penp10id 2 17.6 27 20.2 205 13.5 156 14.9 79 467

Meritra

+

NAPB 0051 17.1 41 18.9 176 12.4 132 13.9 86 435

TNT 16.8 23 19.1 190 12.4 130 16.3 88 431

Meritra 17.6 5 19.5 121 12.7 150 12.4 62 338

Fe Lop a No Sample 22.1 64 14.1 133 12.8 93 290 1-1

VI

Mean of Test 17.5 30 19.6 166 12.7 142 14.2 81 419

Small Grains

Wintergrazer 70 Rye 15.0 106 14.3 189 18.0 247 14.1 128 670

Gurley Grazer 2000 Rye 13.7 80 13.3 235 19.7 157 13.3 138 610

Wrenns Abruzzi Rye 14.1 55 13.6 256 22.9 152 13.7 163 626

Gurley Abruzzi Rye 14.1 77 12.9 236 18.1 129 12.9 133 575

Wintergrazer A Rye 14.8 58 14.2 143 18.1 269 13.8 128 598

Vita-Graze Rye 13.5 46 13.0 233 21.0 119 13.9 135 533

GI 75 Rye 14.4 41 13.5 201 20.0 169 13.8 128 539

Wintergrazer Rye 13.5 41 14.6 89 17.4 245 14.1 142 517

GI 76 Rye 16.1 31 13.9 157 19.3 156 13.1 128 472

Clayton Barley 14.1 37 17.1 33 16.7 219 12.7 101 390

McNair 1831 Wheat 13.7 25 14.6 53 18.4 163 15.1 122 363

Caro1ee Oats 13.2 43 17.2 39 19.3 102 11.6 122 306

Boone Barley 15.2 27 16.3 21 16.9 219 13.6 71 338

Salem Oats 13.1 42 17.9 41 22.5 118 13.3 135 336

Mean of Test 14.2 51 14.7 138 19.2 176 13.5 127 492

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Table 9. Winter annual grasses, long-term averages of dry forage yield and crude protein. Coastal Plain, North Carolina - 1978.

Dry Forage Yie1d

l /and

Crude

Prote~/in

Pounds Per Acre

1976 1977 1978 Average

Forage Crude Forage Crude Forage Crude Forage Crude

Entry Yield Protein Yield Protein Yield Protein Yield Protein

Ryegrass

Lush 2955 473

NAPB 0051 3312 566 2903 435 3108 501

Meritra 3436 328 3176 550 2336 338 2983 405

Meritra

+

NAPB 0051 2852 435

Gulf 4582 411 3743 615 3086 454 3804 493

Fe10pa 1966 290

TNT 2725 431

Penp10id 2 2855 462

~

Gurley Grazer 2000 4964 837 4047 736 4199 610 4403 728

Gurley Abruzzi 4246 678 4120 575 4183 627

GI 75 4672 785 4420 668 3551 539 4214 664

GI 76 4385 793 4595 786 3203 472 4061 684

Vita-Graze 4555 752 4300 717 3663 533 4173 667

Wrenns Abruzzi 4124 626

Wintergrazer 3329 517

Wintergrazer A 3824 598

Wintergrazer 70 5439 935 4365 642 4305 670 4703 749

Oats

Salem 2501 423 2098 336 2300 380

Caro1ee 1734 273 2942 468 2133 306 2270 349

Barley

Boone 2806 441 2126 338 2466 390

Clayton 2205 373 3001 446 2562 390 2589 403

Wheat

McNair 1831 3301 483 2234 363 2768 423

II

f f· 1· ~

- Average 0 lve rep lcatlons.

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17

SUMMER ANNUAL FORAGES

Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, pearl millet and sudangrass, like the winter annuals, are special purpose crops that serve as an important feed source when other pasture crops are in short supply. Their period of maximum production is during the summer when cool-season pasture grasses produce little.

In using these crops, careful attention must be given to management. They require relatively high amounts of fertilizer for high production. For best quality they should be grazed at 16 to 24 inches of growth or cut for green chop at 24 to 30 inches of growth. In either case plants should not be grazed or chopped below 6 to 8 inches in order to insure adequate regrowth.

During the past ten to fifteen years sudangrasses have been largely replaced by the sorghum-sudangrass hybrids. Recently plant breeders have developed improved sudangrass hybrids which are being marketed.

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SUMMER ANNUAL GRASSES

Table 10. Name, address and variety designation of agencies sponsoring entries in the 1978 summer annual simulated grazing trials.

Name

Acco Seed

DeKalb AgResearch, Inc.

FFR Cooperative

Pennington, Inc.

Ring Around Products

Taylor-Evans Seed

U. S. Department of Agriculture

Northrup King Company

Address

Box 1630

Plainview, Texas 79072

Route 2

Lubbock, Texas 79415

4112 East State Road 225 West Lafayette

Indiana 47906

Box 290

Madison, Georgia 30650

Box 1629

Plainview, Texas 79072

Box 68

Tulia, Texas 79088

Tifton, Georgia

P. O. Box 151 Columbus

Mississippi 39701

Sweet Sioux IV (SS) S-99 (SS)

Sudax SX-16A (SS) Sudax SX-17 (SS) X-899

FFR 66 (SS) FFR 74 (SD) FFR 74A (SD)

Summergrazer (SS)

RA Millhy 99 (Pearl Millet)

T-E Haygrazer (SS) T-E Exp. 27615 (SS) T-E Exp. 27617 (SS)

Gahi 3 (Pearl Millet)

Trudan 7 (SD) Sordan 77 (SS)

Millex 23 (Pearl Millet)

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19

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION FVT 158 - Piedmont, Rowan County

Both the Sorghum sp. and the pearl millets yielded well in this test. Four harvests were made and the average yields for sorghum sp. and pearl millets were more than 3.5 and 4.0 tons per acre respectively. Weed pressure was extremely low on this site and weeds didn't become a problem at any time during the test period.

FVT 157 - Coastal Plain, Wilson County

By June 27 a severe infestation of large crabgrass Digitaria sanguinalis was noted in the plot area. In order to supress this growth, a directed spray

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Table 11. FVT 158 Summer annual grasses simulated grazing trials, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rowan County, North Carolina - 1978.

1/ _Leave;!:./

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage- and Percent

Harvest Dates

7/11 8/2 8/29 9/27

% % % %

Entry Yield Leaves Yield Leaves Yield Leaves Yield Leaves Total

Hybridsl.l

Sweet Sioux IV (SS) 2165 63 2523 57 1646 50 1883 46 8217

T-E Haygrazer (SS) 2046 56 2486 53 1761 48 1795 52 8088

Summergrazer (SS) 2045 61 2280 58 1629 49 1665 52 7619

S-99 (SS) 1595 57 2559 55 1535 50 1677 52 7366

T-E Exp. 27617 (SS) 1624 52 2360 46 1661 49 1631 47 7275

Sordan 77 (SS) 1791 58 2244 50 1444 45 1782 52 7261

T-E Exp. 27615 (SS) 1741 44 2375 47 1449 43 1591 53 7156

FFR 66 (SS) 1567 61 2317 53 1517 54 1701 53 7102

FFR 74 (SD) 1277 54 2320 44 1932 42 1511 48 7040

X-899 (SS) 1583 64 2264 58 1306 53 1663 59 6816

Sudax SX16A (SS) 1514 63 2276 63 1335 54 1490 45 6615

FFR 74A (SD) 1395 55 2167 56 1535 48 1477 50 6574

Trudan 7 (SD) 1885 53 1730 40 1539 42 1330 48 5784

Mean of Test 1656 2300 1561 1630 7147

- -

-L.S.D. (.05) 524 285 332 269 1001

(.01) 699 380 N.S. N.S. 1335

Pearl Millets

Gahi 3 1066 89 3911 64 2737 46 1736 48 9450

RA Mi11hy 99 1256 68 3279 45 1895 35 1634 50 8064

Mil1ex 23 891 64 2942 49 1880 41 1393 48 7106

Mean of Test 1071 3377 2171 1588 8207

L.S.D. ( .05) 195 N.S. 381 236 1460

( .01) 284 N.S. 555 N.S. N.S.

l/Average of three replications.

l/(SD)

=

Sudangrass hybrids. (SS) = Sorghum Sudan hybrid.

Seeded June 5, 1978 at rate of: SorghumSudans 40 1bs/acre, Sudan hybrids -20 1bs/acre, Pearl Millets - -20 1bs/acre

Fertilization at seeding: 50 lbs. N, 100 1bs. P

205, 100 lbs. K20 per acre and

50 1bs. N after each narvest except last.

(23)

21

Table 12. FVT 158 Summer annual grasses simulated grazing trials crude protein percent and pounds crude protein per acre. Piedmont, Rowan County, North Carolina - 1978.

Percent and Pounds Crude Protein Per Acre1 1

Harvest Dates

7/11 8/2 8/29 9/27 Total

Entry % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. % 1bs. Pounds

b Ld 21

~

Sweet Sioux IV (8S) 14.1 306 14.9 377 10.8 177 10.5 198 1058

T- E Haygr azer (SS) 13.4 274 15.4 384 10.6 187 9.9 178 1023

Summergrazer (SS) 14.4 294 16.7 380 11.6 188 10.9 180 1042

S-99 (SS) 15.5 247 15.9 406 10.9 167 9.3 156 976

T-E Exp. 22617 (SS) 13.6 220 16.4 386 11.8 196 10.1 164 966

Sordan 77 (SS) 12.8 230 16.2 363 12.2 176 9.4 168 937

T-E Exp. 22615 (8S) 14.6 254 16.7 396 11.1 160 10.4 166 976

FFR 66 (SS) 14.9 234 16.8 388 11.2 170 10.9 186 978

FFR 74 (SD) 14.9 190 16.8 390 10.5 203 10.3 155 938

X-899 (SS) 14.4 228 17.3 392 12.1 158 11.7 194 972

Sudax 8X16A (SS) 15.7 238 16.3 370 12.7 169 11.1 165 942

FFR 74A (SD) 15.1 211 17.2 372 11.1 171 11.7 173 927

Trudan 7 (SD) 15.8 187 15.9 276 11.6 179 10.9 145 787

Mean of Test 14.6 239 16.3 375 11.4 177 10.5 172 963

Pearl Millets

Gahi 3 16.4 175 12.9 504 10.6 291 11.6 202 1172

RA Mi11hy 99 15.5 195 14.6 478 10.5 199 10.9 170 1042

Mi11ex 23 17.3 154 15.6 458 11.3 211 12.5 171 994

Mean of Test 16.4 174 14.4 480 10.8 234 11.7 181 1069

IIp . _{are based on a composite sample made up of five replications.}

- roteln percentages

~/(SD)

=

8udangrass hybrid. (8S)

=

Sorghum-Sudan hybrid. ]jAn estimate of digestible protein may be computed by formula:

(24)

Table 13. Summer annual grasses simulated grazing trials, total annual production and long-term averages of dry forage yields and crude protein. Piedmont, North Carolina - 1978.

Dry Forage

Yie1~/and

Crude

Protei~/in

Pounds Per Acre

1976 1977 1978 Average

Dry Crude Dry--Crude Dry--Crude Dry Crude

Forage Protein Forage Protein Forage Protein Forage Protein

Entry Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A

HybridJ/

Summergrazer (SS) 8460 1312 4740 684 7619 1042 6940 1013

Sweet Sioux IV(SS) 8380 1263 6580 1057 8216 1058 7725 1126

S-99 (S8) 8260 1232 4500 683 7365 976 6708 964

Sudan SX16A (SS) 7200 1172 5020 848 6616 942 5279 987

X-899 (S8) 6816 972

T-E Haygrazer (SS) 8580 1304 5700 858 8088 1023 7456 1062

T-E Exp. 27615 (SS) 7156 976

T-E Exp. 27617 (SS) 7276 966

FFR 66 (8S) 8600 1283 6080 925 7101 978 7260 1062

FFR 74 (SD) 8820 1250 6000 937 7040 938 7287 1042

FFR 74A (SD) 4780 758 6574 927 5677 943

Trudan 7 (SD) 5783 787

Sordan 77 (SS) 7261 937

Pearl Millet

RA Ni11hy 99 7080 1105 5380 898 8064 1042 6841 1015

Mi11ex 23 7105 994

Gahi 3 5580 1026 9451 1172 7516 1099

2/ C ited f fi 1"

- omposlte 0 lve rep lcatlons.

(25)

23

Table 14. FVT 157 8ummer annual grasses, dry forage yields. Coastal Plain, Wilson County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage Yields!/ and Percent

Leaves~1

Harvest Dates

7/10 8/10 9/7

% % %

Entry Yield Leaves Yield Leaves Yield Leaves Total

Hybrids~/

T-E Haygrazer (88) 1940 50 2356 50 1974 52 6270

FFR 66 (88) 1640 47 2359 46 1993 48 5992

8weet 8ioux IV (88) 2001 54 2320 52 1658 53 5979

8-99 (88) 1757 49 2350 47 1733 57 5840

So'rdan 77 (8S) 1929 53 2075 52 1657 46 5661

Trudan 7 (SD) 2005 43 1838 45 1791 42 5634

T-E Exp. 27615 (SS) 1872 52 1854 50 1822 52 5547

T-E Exp. 27617 (SS) 1617 52 2046 50 1862 55 5525

Sudax SX-16A (SS) 1385 54 1922 54 1862 59 5170

FFR 74 (SD) 898 48 1821 47 1982 52 4701

Sudax SX-17 (SS) 1380 58 1481 55 1643 57 4503

FFR 74-A (SD) 999 47 1534 46 1774 57 4308

Mean of Test 1619 1996 1813 5427

-L.S.D. ( .05) 698 N.S. N.S. 1223

( .01) N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S.

Pearl Millet

Gahi 3 804 87 2998 71 1900 54 5702

RA Mi11hy 99 962 63 2627 58 1691 54 5280

Mil1ex 23 627 83 2383 67 1670 46 4681

Mean~Test 798 2669 1754 5221

L.S.D. ( .05) 244 N.S. N.S. N.S.

( .01) N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S.

llAverage of five replications.

Seeded May 30, 1978 at rate of: Sorghum Sudans - 40 1bs/acre Sudan Hybrids - 20 lbs/acre, Pearl Millets - 20 lbs/acre

Fertilization at seeding: 50 lbs/acre N, 110 lbs/acre P₂₀_5, 110 1bs/acre K₂₀ and 50 1bs. N after each harvest except last.

Weed Control: June 16, 1979 - 1.5 1bs/acre (A.I.) AAtrex. Hybrid plants 2" tall. No weed control used on pearl millets

l/Average of three replications.

(26)

Table 15. FVT 157 8ummer annual grasses simulated grazing trials crude protein percent and pounds crude protein per acre. Coastal Plain, Wilson County, North Carolina - 1978.

Percent and Pounds Per Acre Crude Protein

11

Harvest Dates

7/10 8/10 9/7 Total

Entry Percent Pounds Percent Pounds Percent Pounds Pounds

HybridJ-I

T-E Haygrazer (88) 7.6 148 8.3 196 10.5 207 551

FFR 66 (88) 7.4 121 8.6 203 9.0 179 504

Sweet 8ioux IV (88) 11.3 164 9.0 209 9.8 162 534

8-99 (55) 8.0 141 8.6 203 10.7 185 528

50rdan 77 (55) 8.3 159 8.2 170 9.6 158 487

Trudan 7 (5D) 7.6 153 9.0 165 9.8 175 493

T-E Exp. 27615 (55) 7.3 136 7.8 145 9.6 175 456

T-E Exp. 27617 (55) 8.3 133 8.3 169 9.6 178 480

5udax SX-16A (55) 7.6 106 7.4 143 9.8 183 431

FFR 74 (5D) 9.4 85 10.3 188 9.3 185 457

5udax 5X-17 (55) 7.4 102 6.4 94 8.4 138 334

FFR 74-A (5D) 9.1 91 9.1 139 9.9 176 407

Mean of Test 8.3 128 9.1 169 9.7 175 472

-Pearl Millet

Gahi 3 10.3 82 11.6 348 11.9 226 657

RA Millhy 99 9.1 88 8.8 232 12.3 208 528

Hil1ex 23 11.5 72 10.4 249 12.4 207 528

Mean of Test 10.3 81 10.3 276 12.2 214 571

-llprotein percentages are based on a composite sample made up of five replications.

1/5D

=

5udangrass hybrid. 55

=

Sorghum-Sudan hybrid.

(27)

25

Table 16. Summer annual grasses simulated grazing trials, combined locations. Total annual production and long-term averages of dry forage yields and crude protein. Coastal Plain, North Carolina - 1978

Dry Forage Yie1d

1/and

Crude

Protein~/in

Pounds Per Acre

Entry . 3/ Hybrlds-1976 Dry --Crude Forage Protein Lbs/A Lbs/A

1977 1978 Average

Dry --Crude Dry --Crude Dr-y---Crude

Forage Protein Forage Protein Forage Protein

Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A Lbs/A

6580 6840 Sudax SX-17 (SS) FFR 66 (8S) Sordan 77 (88)

Sudax SX-16A (SS) 7240 Turdan 7 (SD)

T-E Haygrazer (SS) 6620 Sweet Sioux IV (8S)7100 T-E Exp. 27615 (88) T-E Exp. 27617 (8S)

S-99 (88) 7360

FFR 74 (SD) 7600

FFR 74A (8D) 8480

Pearl Millets 1086 1040 991 1046 1072 1165 1201 1269 3620 3600 3420 3380 3380 3200 3140 2700 314 349 336 321 304 281 307 253 4503 5992 5661 5170 5634 6270 5979 5547 5525 5840 4701 4308 334 504 487 431 493 551 534 456 480 528 457 407 4901 5477 5277 5423 5486 5467 5147 5163 578 631 586 639 637 658 655 643

RA Mil1hy 99 Gahi 3 Mil1ex 23

9220 1045 6980

6960 607 642 5280 5702 4681 528 657 528 7160 6331 727 650

l/A f f" 1 " · - verage 0 lve rep lcatl0ns.

2/

c

"

f f" 1 " "

- omposlte 0 lve rep lcatl0ns.

(28)

PERENNIAL FORAGES

The perennial species reported in this publication include orchardgrass, tall fescue, timothy, smooth bromegrass, Phalaris sp., alfalfa, ladino clover, red clover and birds foot trefoil.

Tall fescue and orchardgrass are two of the most important perennial cool-season pasture grasses in the state. Both grow well in combination with ladino clover where ladino is adapted. Orchardgrass is especially good as hay with or without a legume. Tall fescue is more widely adapted than orchardgrass in eastern North Carolina. Timothy and smooth bromegrass are both cool-season grasses that are best adapted to the Mountain and western Piedmont regions. Their primary use is for hay, and both grow well with alfalfa. These grasses can be utilized in pastures and can be grown in short rotations in the central and eastern Piedmont, but in the past, they have not persisted well under these conditions.

Of perennial legumes reported here (alfalfa, ladino clover, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil), ladino clover and alfalfa are probably the most widely adapted. However, alfalfa must be grown on relatively deep, fertile, well-drained soils with good water-holding capacities. These soils should be limed to a pH of 6.8 to 7.0. Alfalfa is best utilized as hay. Ladino is the number one pasture legume in North Carolina and is adapted over most of the state excepting above 2000 ft. elevation and on the deep sands of the Coastal Plain and sand hills regions. Red clover is adapted over most of the Piedmont and is usually grown with orchardgrass for hay. Red clover can also be used in semi-permanent pastures with ladino clover and tall fescue, but it is often short-lived, frequently behaving as a bLenn.laI ..

Birdsfoot trefoil is a legume that can be used for hay or pasture. Birdsfoot will tolerate moderately acid soils, and it will grow well in wet soils that will not permit the growth of alfalfa. However, its range of adaptation appears to be relatively narrow; it is best adapted to the mountainous areas of western North Carolina.

(29)

Table 17.

27 PERENNIAL FORAGES

Names, addresses and cultivar designations of agencies sponsoring entries in the 1978 North Carolina Perennial Forage Trials.

II

- Vangard formerly reported as Victor.

~/Liberty

formerly reported as NCW20. Name

North American Plant Breeders

Farmers Forage Research

Pioneer Hi-Bred International

University of Kentucky

N. C. Agricultural Extension Service

Address

RR3

Ames, Iowa 50010

4112 E. State Road 225 W. Lafayette, Indiana

P.

o.

Box 85 Johnston, Iowa

Lexington, Kentucky

N. C. State University Raleigh, N. C.

Redland Red Clover Apollo Alfalfa Olympic Alfalfa_l/ Vangard Alfalfa-Atlas Alfalfa

Vantage Reed Canarygrass

1~F0070 (Fescue x Ryegrass)

Weevlchek Alfalfa Tempo Alfalfa

Hallmark Orchardgrass *FFR Syn. D Fescue *FFR Syn. H Fescue *FFR Syn. I Fescue Able Orchardgrass *PB Alfalfa *MB Alfalfa *MH-2 Alfalfa *OB-2 Alfalfa *OF-l Alfalfa *PF Alfalfa

*Doublecross Hybrid Red Clover *Mildew R. Syn. 2 Red Clover

Kenstar Red Clover Kenland Red Clover Team Alfalfa Arc Alfalfa Apalachee Alfalfa Cherokee Alfalfa Williamsburg Alfalfa Thor Alfalfa Saranac Alfalfa Saranac AR Alfa~la

(30)

Table 17. (Continued) Names, addresses and cultivar designations of agencies sponsoring entries in the 1978 North Carolina Perennial Forage Trials.

Name

University of Missouri

Oregon State University

Auburn University

Pickseed West

Virginia Polytechnic Institute

Agricultural Research Service, USDA

Northrup, King Company

Berger

&

Plate Company

Address

Dept. of Agronomy 210 Waters

Columbia, Missouri 65201 102 Farm Crops Bldg. Corvallis, Oregon 97331 Auburn, Alabama

Box 888

Tangent, Oregon University of Kentucky

Blacksburg, Virginia

Beltsville, Maryland

1500 Jackson St., N. E. Minneapolis

Minnesota 55413

1 California Street San Francisco California 94111

Spreador

Chesapeake Red Clover Kentucky 31 Fescue Dayton Orchardgrass Tillman Ladino Clover Regal Ladino Clover Redman Red Clover Pennmead Orchardgrass Penlate Orchardgrass Timothy Entries

Birdsfoot Trefoil Entries Smooth Bromegrass Entries Missouri-96 Fescue "i\-H-I Fescue "i':H-II Fescue

Lucky Ladino Clover

*AP-l Harding grass *AP-2 Harding grass

Felopa (Fescue x Ryegrass)

Kenhy (Fescue x Ryegrass) *46GI-3l6 Fescue

*46GI-3l7 Fescue *46GI-307 Fescue

Jackson Orchardgrass Va. 70 Orchardgrass Boone Orchardgrass

"i':K2-28 Fescue Orbit Orchardgrass Florie Red Clo~9r

Phytor Alfalfa-Arcadia Ladino Clover *B-2 Festulorium

Sacramento Ladino Clover

3/

(31)

Table 17.

29

(Continued) Names, addresses and cu1tivar designations of agencies sponsoring entries in the 1978 North Carolina Perennial Forage Trials.

Name

Waterman-Loomis Company

Agriculture Service Corporation

*Experimenta1s.

Address

2000 Century Plaza Suite 110

Columbus, Maryland 21044 1121 Boone Road, S. E. Salem, Oregon 97302

Cu1tivar Designation

WL 311 Alfalfa WL 318 Alfalfa

(32)

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Upper Piedmont Research Station, Rockingham County

The 1978 season was typified by excellent growing conditions. Total precipitation for the period March through September was 33.77 inches. In addition, each month during this period received rainfall in excess of the long term mean. Temperatures were also favorable during most of the season. The result of these favorable conditions was some of the highest oven dry forage yields ever recorded in the variety test program for alfalfa, Red clover and Ladino clover.

FVT 160 - Ladino Clover. This test consisted of six entries. Excellent stands were obtained of all varieties except Tamar. The Tamar variety lost about 95% of the stand during the winter. This is the second such observation of this variety in North Carolina. It is unknown whether the stand loss was was primarily the result of winter injury or disease or insect susceptability. No evidence of disease or insect problems were observed. By June 12, 1978 the stand of Tamar had greatly improved and by August 31, 1978 the entire plot areas were covered. Tamar and Sacramento were observed to bloom to a greater degree than the other four varieties.

FVT 161 - Red Clover. All Red Clover varieties yielded over six tons per acre of oven dry forage. Yields ranged from 6.07 to 7.52 tons per acre.

FVT 162 - Alfalfa. Alfalfa weevil was not evident at this location and thus the plots were not sprayed. Weevils often do not infest alfalfa stands during the seedling year. Potato leafhoppers caused some damage prior to the fourth harvest. All varieties yielded well ranging from 6.91 to 7.99 tons per acre.

(33)

31

Table 18. FVT 160 Ladino clover, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rockingham County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage-1/

Harvest Dates

Entry 5/18 6/12 6/29 7/31 8/31 Total

Ladino Clover

Rp['a1 3380 2533 1973 2151 931 10968

Lucky 2993 2189 1863 2054 714 9812

Tillman 2549 2265 1936 2154 800 9704

Arcadia 2886 1971 1950 2110 777 9695

Sacramento 2609 2044 1788 1916 565 8922

Tamar 763 2224 1228 2174 986 7375

Mean of Test 2530 2204 1790 2093 796 9413

-L.S.D. (.05) 975 N.S. 247 N.S. 268 1008

(.01) 1330 N.S. 337 N.S. N.S. 1375

Seeded September 1, 1977 at rate of: 5 1bs/acre adjusted to 100% P.L.S. Fertilized at seeding at rate of: 45 Ibs/ac:e P205' 135 Ibs/acre K_20,

(34)

Table 19. FVT 161 Red clover, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rockingham County, North Carolina - 1978.

1/ Pounds Per Acre Dry

Forage-Harvest Dates

Entry 5/18 6/23 7/31 8/31 Total

Red Clover

Ken1and 5907 4778 3511 836 15032

Red1and 4982 4122 3273 840 13217

Chesapeake 4380 4823 3042 940 13185

Kenstar 4641 4061 3218 1028 12948

Redman 4233 4357 3256 640 12486

F10rie 4433 3985 3073 656 12147

Mean of Test 4763 4354 3229 823 13168

-L.S.D. (.05) N.S. 471 N.S. 223 1389

( .01) N.S. 643 N.S. 304 1894

Seeded August 31, 1977 at rate of: 15 1bs/acre. Fertilized at seeding at rate of: 45 1bs/ac:e P

(35)

33

Table 20. FVT 162 Alfalfa, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rockingham County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Foragel/

Harvest Dates

Entry 5/18 6/23 7/31 8/31 Total

Alfalfa

WL 311 4884 4901 4342 1864 15991

Vangard 4897 4922 4227 1722 15768

Apollo 4810 4878 3998 1777 15463

WI.. 318 4257 4957 4326 1767 15307

Weev1chek 4444 4788 3910 1750 14892

Arc 4292 4577 3860 1555 14284

Liberty 4424 4526 3634 1587 14171

Saranac AR 3834 4626 3795 1572 13827

Mean of Test 4480 4772 4012 1699 14963

-L.S.D. ( .05) N.S. N.S. 425 217 1411

(.01) N.S. N.S. 573 N.S. N.S.

Seeded August 20, 1977 at rate of: 20 lbs/acre.

(36)

Table 21. FVT 153 Fescue, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rockingham County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage:-1/

Harvest Dates

Entry 5/18 6/12 9/21 10/31 Total

Fescue

Syn. I 4326 1376 4966 1454 12122

NAPB TF 0070 3621 1876 L~65S 1879 12031

Kenhy 3677 1538 4495 1364 11074

Ky. 31 3780 1173 4258 1330 10541

HI 3089 1277 4356 1502 10224

B-2 Festu101ium 5875 1696 1647 658 9876

Syn. D 2909 1102 4034 1404 9449

H II 2824 1310 4167 1088 9389

Fe10pa 4453 1729 2216 799 9197

Missouri-96 2352 1471 3777 1152 8752

K2-28 2988 1092 1815 758 6653

Mean of Test 3627 1422 3672 1217 9938

-L.S.D. (.05) 1521 419 655 425 1949

( .01) 2035 561 876 568 2608

Seeded September 15, 1977 at rate of: 20 1bs/acre.

Fertilized at seeding at rate of: 45 1bs/ac:e P

205, 135 1bs/acre K20, one ton 11me.

September 15, 1977 - 50 1bs. N. per acre March 22, 1978 - 75 1bs/acre N.

(37)

35

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Piedmont Research Station, Rowan County

The 1978 growing season was generally favorable. March through September precipitation totaled 29.47 inches. The lowest monthly precipitation for this period was recorded for June, 2.49 inches.

FVT 120 - Perennial Grasses. This test consisted of three separate trials,

orch~rdgrasses~fescues, and Phalaris SP. Orchardgrass yields for 1978 were the highest of the three-year test period ranging from 3.10 to 3.70 tons per acre. The second spring cutting of the fescues was lost due to inadvertant maintenance mowing.

The two experimental Phalaris varieties were not harvested in the fall due to a lack of forage.

(38)

Table 22. FVT 120 Perennial grasses, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rowan County, North Carolina - 1978.

1/ Pounds Per Acre Dry

Forage-Total Total Total Three

Harvest Dates For Year For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/3 6/17 10/4 1978 1977 1976 J.1.verage

Orchardgrass

Boone 3895 721 2086 6702 5913 5060 5892

Va. 70 4556 666 1921 7143 5624 4704 5824

Hallmark 4746 784 1873 7403 5054 4433 5630

Jackson 3666 723 1818 6207 4610 3602 4806

Orbit 3715 720 1881 6316 4364 3113 4598

Mean of Test 5113 4182 4648

L.S.D. (.05) 726 876

( .01) 1000 1208

Fescue

*Syn. H 5106 3600 8706 8497 5405 7536

Ky. 31 3625 3685 7310 8349 6312 7324

*TF 0070 3450 3446 6896 8110 7118 7375

Kenhy 4049 3751 7800 7981 6725 7502

*46 GI-316 4047 3207 7254 7479 6971 7235

*46 GI-317 3391 2896 6287 6725 5409 6140

* 46 GI-307 3160 3675 6835 6566 5395 6265

Felopa 1539 895 2434 3644 8001 4693

*K2-28 1006 887 1894 3317 4376 3196

Mean of Test 3370 3024 6394 6741 6190 6442

-L.S.D. (.05) 1010 854 1614 N.S. 1056

( .01) 1354 1145 2164 N.S. 1419

Reed Canary--2/

Vantage 3660 2963 6623 6930 6777

*APl-2 3614 3614 5534 4574

*AP2-2 4121 4121 5448 4785

Mean of Test 3798 4786 5971 5379

-L.S.D. ( .05) N.S. 1021 1233

(.01) N.S. 1486 1794

1/A f fI 1 · ·

- verage a lve rep lcatlons.

Seeded September 30, 1975 at rate of: Orchardgrass - 20 Ibs/A, Fescue - 20 1bs/A, Reed Canary - 10 1bs/A

Fertilization at seeding at rate of: 81 1bs. P₂₀ , 243 1bs. K₂₀ per acre.

Maintenance: February 18, 1976 - 75 1bs/acre N;

~eptember

28, 1976 - 75 Ibs/acre N March 16, 1977 - 75 1bs. N, 50 1bs. P205' 100 Ibs. K20 per acre July 6, 1977 - 75 1bs/acre N

March 20, 1978 - 75 1bs. N, 50 1bs. PZOS' 100 1bs. KZO per acre

August 23, 1978 - 75 lbs. N/acre.

!/Entries AP1-Z and AP2-2 are Pha1aris aquatica.

(39)

37

Table 23. FVT 141 Perennial forages, alfalfa, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Rowan County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry

Forage-~J

Total Total Two Harvest Dates For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/17 6/13 7/19 8/23 1978 1977 Average

Alfalfa

Apollo 3633 2879 1797 2601 10910 3761 7336

Gladiator 3736 2418 1333 2516 10003 3754 6879

Phytor 2984 2621 1822 2359 9786 3705 6746

Heev1chek 3395 2547 1741 2263 9946 3643 6795

Thor 3038 2549 1540 2364 9491 3541 6516

WL-318 3174 2649 2032 2520 10375 3523 6949

Victoria 3292 2621 1812 2324 10049 3477 6763

Saranac-AR 3438 2885 1871 2510 10704 3433 7069

WL-311 3456 2908 1709 2510 10583 3375 6979

Arc 3377 2395 1167 2146 9085 3269 6177

Williamsburg 2812 2454 1780 2378 9424 3215 6320

Team 2797 1881 1086 1743 7507 3045 5276

Vangard 3182 2543 1603 2639 9967 2904 6436

Agate 2932 2306 1388 2111 8737 2765 5751

Liberty 3228 2069 939 1995 8231 2595 5413

Spreador 2135 1175 550 1221 5081 1866 3474

WL-512 2221 1785 1369 2234 7609 1445 4527

Mean of Test 3108 2393 1502 2261 9264 3136 6200

-L.S.D. (.05) 546 352 467 650 1444 549

(.01) 723 467 620 862 1914 728

l/Average of six replications.

Seeded September 1, 1976 at rate of: 20 1bs/ acre.

Fertilization at seeding: 40 1bs. N, 120 1bs. P_205, 120 1bs. K

20 and one ton lime per acre.

March 20, 1978 - 68 1bs/acre P205' 203 lbs/acre K20+ 10 lbs/acre Solu-Bnr (21% Boron)

=

2 lbs/acre.

Insect Control: No insect control in 1977.

April 5, 1978 - one lb/acre Furadan Weed Control: March 20, 1978 - .75 1bs/acre (A.I.) 2,4-DB

(40)

Oxford Research Station, Piedmont, Granville County

The growing season at the Oxford Station was quite favorable with March

through September precipitation totaling 3l~96 inches, September was the driest month of the period, 1,04 inches.

FVT 129 - Alfalfa. Excellent stands remained for many varieties after three harvest years. Eight out of the twenty-one varieties tested averaged more than four tons per acre for the three-year test period.

FVT 128 - Red Clover. A drastic decline in the variety Chesapeake was evident during the third growing season. Numerous weeds invaded the plots and thus weed estimates had to be made for the last two harvests. The four varieties tested yielded well and persisted for most of the third year. A significant decline was noted for these entries at the last harvest date~

Nonetheless, it was suprising that these varietie.s persisted and yielded high during the third year,

FVT 130 - Perennial Grasses, Two separate trials were included in this test (Fescues and Phalaris ~), The yields in the fescue test ranged fram 0.69 to 2.04 tons per acre, This was considerably lower than 1977 yields.

In the Phalaris test, entries AP2-2 and APl-2 were not harvested in the fall due to extremely low production.

FVT 139 - Perennial Grasses. This test originally contained three Bromis

(41)

39

Table 24. FVT 128 Red clover, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Granville County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage-1/

Total Total Total

For For For Three

Harvest Dates Year Year Year Year

Entry 5/11 6/8 7/14 8/7 9/15 1978 1977 1976 Average

Kenstar 1911 1895 1542 559 1213 7119 6449 6254 6607

Ken1and 2050 1736 1641 515 1139 7080 6525 7067 6891

Double Cross Hybrid 1754 1783 1488 642 1261 6928 6608 6985 6840

Mildew Res. Syn. 2 1538 1718 1670 452 1151 6530 6200 7076 6602

Chesapeake 1461 1792 1171 125 439 4989 6478 7279 6249

Mean of Test 1743 1785 1502 459 1041 6529 6452 6932 6638

-L.S.D. ( .05) 317 N.S. 301 169 246 654 N.S. 864

(.01) 436 N.5. N.5. 233 339 902 N.S. N.S.

1/

- Average of five replications.

Seeded September 29, 1975 at rate of: 20 1bs/acre all entries. Fertilization at seeding: 50 1bs. N, 100 1bs. P_205, 100 1bs. K

20 per acre. Maintenance: March 16, 1977 - 72 1bs.P

(42)

Table 25. FVT 129 Perennial forages, alfalfa dry forage yields. Piedmont, Granville County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forageh/

Total Total Total

For For For Three

Harvest Dates Year Year Year Year

Entry 5/11 6/8 7/14 8/7 9/15 1978 1977 1976 Average

WL 318 2057 2145 1942 1457 2063 9664 9784 8029 9159

OB-2 2078 2215 1844 1593 1855 9585 9054 6531 8390

Atlas 2291 2153 1643 1414 1940 9441 9676 7261 8793

Saranac AR 2247 2246 1657 1354 1913 9417 9190 7016 8541

Thor 2011 2189 1725 1347 2122 9394 8032 7336 8254

Apollo 2071 2123 1482 1536 2131 9343 8597 5909 7950

Arc 2164 2010 1498 1366 2059 9097 8491 6786 8125

Phytor 2134 2077 1490 1415 1953 9089 7863 5786 7579

Liberty 2242 1961 1550 1352 1934 9039 8433 6479 7984

\oJeev1chek 2053 1917 1524 1304 2204 9002 7815 6371 7729

Cherokee 2298 1930 1372 1428 1951 8979 8156 6370 7835

Tempo 1949 1991 1520 1375 2141 8976 8642 6752 8123

Apa1achee 1777 2112 1720 1432 1881 8922 839.1 6664 7992

Victoria 1930 2032 1628 1394 1919 8903 7654 7108 7888

Vangard 2075 1954 1447 1364 1993 8833 8560 6015 7803

MH-2 1817 1905 1695 1465 1923 8805 7590 5599 7331

Olympic 2023 2064 1547 1347 1807 8788 8760 6925 8158

Saranac 2020 1119 1559 1304 1728 8730 6812 6631 7391

OF-1 2015 1886 1441 1363 1903 8608 7699 5610 7306

Williamsburg 1881 1925 1536 1382 1789 8513 7420 6253 7395

Team 1885 1644 i422 1152 2090 8193 7491 6764 7483

Mean of Test 2048 2029 1583 1388 1967 9015 8291 6580

-L.S.D. C.05) 304 268 207 155 275 731 957 1013

( .01) N.S. 356 275 206 N.S. N.S. 1269 1343

1/A f f' 1"

- verage 0 lve rep lcatlons.

Seeded September 29, 1975 at 20 1bs. per acre. Fertilization at seeding: _{50 Ibs. N, 100 1bs. P}

2OS ' 100 1bs. K20 per acre, 4 1bs. Boron.

Maintenance: March 11, 1977 - 72 Ibs paS' 216 1bs. K

20 per acre

+

2 1bs . Boron 1976 - 2 tons 1fme applied.

March 16, 1978 - 68 Ibs. P

20S' 203 1bs. K20

+

10 1bs./acre Solu-Bor Insect Control: April 8, 1977 - 1/2 lb. Furadan per acre

April 4, 1978 - 1 lb. Furadan per acre

(43)

41

Table 26. FVT 130 Perennial grasses, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Granville County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Foragel

l

Entry

Fescue

4/21

Harvest Dates

Sill 10/26

Total Total For Year For Year

1978 1977

Total For Year

1976

Three Year Average

Kenhy Ky.31 Syn. H TF 0070 Syn. D Fe10pa K2-28 Mean of Test -L.S.D. (.05)

( .01)

1809 563 1707 4079 6689 2767 4512

2151 660 1762 4573 6157 2552 4427

2476 497 1286 4259 5895 2005 4053

2289 467 1405 4161 5602 3536 4433

1956 617 1132 3705 5021 1505 3410

801 244 735 1780 4267 4767 3605

494 207 671 1372 3094 1737 2068

1711 465 1243 3419 5246 2696 2463

491 177 275 674 830 550

666 240 372 913 1125 745

Reed Canary Gras;!:}

Vantage 1360 1909 3269 5081 4175

AP2-2 1654 1654 4914 3284

APl-2 1441 1441 4186 2814

Mean of Test 1485 2122 4726 3424

-L.S.D. (.05) N.S. 487 N.S.

( .01) N.S. 709 N.5.

llAverage of five replications.

Seeded October 1, 1975 at rate of: Fescue - 20 lbs/acre

Reed Canary Grass - 10 1bs/acre Timothy - 10 lbs/acre

Fertilization at seeding: 50 1bs. N, 100 1bs. PO, 100 lbs. K₂₀ per acre Maintenance: April 21, 1976 - 50

1~s1acre

N.

March 11, 1977 - 75 Lbs . N, 50 Lbs . P_205, 100 Ib s , KOper acre

August 22, 1977 - t5 1bs/acre N.

March 16, 1978 - 75 1bs. N, 68 lbs. P_205, _{203 lbs. K20 per acre} August 7~ 1978 - 75 Ibs, N. per acre

Note: Data not reported on Reed Ca~ary Grass in year 1976 due to weed infestation.

(44)

Table 27. FVT 139 Perennial grasses, dry forage yields. Piedmont, Granville County, North Carolina - 1978.

II

Pounds Per Acre Dry

Forage-Entry

Smooth Brome

Harvest Dates Sill 10/26

Total For Year

1978

Total For Year

1977

T\',TO

Year Average

Blair

Baylor

Mean of Test -L.S.D. (.05)

(.01)

3488

3155

3321

N.S.

2920

2525

2723

N.S.

6408

5680

6044

N.S.

5999

6273

6136

6204

5977

6091

llAverage of five replications.

Seeded April 7, 1976 at rate of: 25lbs/acre.

Fertilization at seeding: 25 lbs. N, 50 lbs. P

20S' 50 lbs. K20 per acre. Maintenance - February 25, 1977 - 75 lbs. N, 50 los.P

205, 100 lbs. K20 per acre.

August 22, 1977 - 75 lbs. N. per acre. March 16, 1978 - 75 1bs. N, 68 1bs. P

205, 203 1bs. K20 per acre.

(45)

43

Mountain Research Station, Southern Mountains, Haywood County

March through September precipitation totaled 23.31 inches; this was about four inches below the long term mean for the period. The driest month of the period was September, 0.18 inches.

FVT 142 - Alfalfa. Weed encroachment was observed during the last two harvests. Yields were adjusted to account for weeds. Total yield ranged from 3.04 to 5.21 tons per acre. In general, stands deteriorated considerably by October 1, 1978.

FVT 148 - Birdsfoot Trefoil. In general, the six trefoil varieties in this test yielded well in 1978. Weed encroachment during the latter part of the growing season was noted (much the same as FVT 142) and accounted for. Weeds may become a serious problem in the 1979 season. Total yields ranged from 3.66 to 4.47 tons per acre.

FVT 143 - Timothy. Due to dry conditions resulting in very poor aftermath production, only one harvest was made during 1978. Some weed encroachment noted during the late season. The varieties Heidemij and King were noted to be prostrate types.

(46)

Table 28. FVT 142 Alfalfa, dry forage yields, Southern Mountains, Haywood County. North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage

Yie1d~/

Total Total Two

Harvest Dates For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/23 7/5 8/16 1978 1977 Average

Alfalfa

1~MB 4976 3807 1645 10428 8467 9448

Atlas 4791 3899 1670 10360 8504 9432

Apollo 4416 4278 1544 10238 9598 9918

Arc 2/ 4442 3946 1483 9870 8179 9025

Vangard- 4895 3349 1429 9673 8259 8966

WL 318 4462 3606 1534 9602 8993 9298

Apa1achee 4207 3668 1705 9581 8657 9119

WL 311 4245 3575 1728 9548 9182 9365

1~PB _2/ 3940 3895 1592 9427 9196 9312

Liberty - 4439 3392 1413 9245 6511 7878

Saranac-AR 4190 3408 1503 9101 8057 8579

Williamsburg 4441 3426 1186 9053 6863 7958

Gladiator 4109 3430 1300 8839 7371 8105

Victoria 4383 3003 1082 8469 8527 8498

Agate _2/ 4235 3152 1040 8427 7628 8028

Phytor - 4171 3220 934 8325 8426 8376

*PF 3866 3024 1140 8030 8690 4345

Weev1chek 4184 2448 1019 7651 6906 7279

WL-512 3304 2744 1169 7217 7012 7115

Spreador 3337 2550 201 6087 6142 6115

Mean of Test 4252 3391 1316 8959 8059 8509

-L.S.D. ( .05) 802 951 395 1478 1245 1362

(.01) 1064 N.S. 523 1961 1652 1807

1/

_{Average of five replications.}

Seeded August 26, 1976 at rate of: 20 1bs/acre.

Fertilization: 50 1bs/acre P20~, 100 1bs/acre KiO at seeding.

Lbs . K 20 Maintenance: March 21, 1978 - 1bs. Boron, 73 bs. P205' 146

per acre .

Weed Control: . 62 1bs/acre (A.I.) 2~ 4-DB - March 21, 1977 .75 1bs/acre (A.I.) 2, 4-DB - March 21, 1978

1/

See Table 17.

(47)

45

Table 29. FVT 143 Timothy dry forage yields. Southern Mountains, Haywood County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage!/

Total Total Two

Date For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/23 1978 1977 Average

Timothy

Clair 6393 6393 7799 7096

Toro 6189 6189 7683 6936

Bounty 6083 6083 6690 6387

Climax 5241 5241 6620 5931

Champ 5844 5844 6373 6109

Itasca 4911 4911 5838 5375

Heidemij 3569 3569 3670 3620

King 3840 3840 3642 3741

Mean of Test 5259 5259 6039 5649

L.S.D. (.05) 1163 1163 983

( .01) 1569 1569 1326

Fertilized at seeding at rate of: 50 1bs/acre P205' 100 1bs/acre K

20 . March 21, 1978 - 50 1bs/acre P

(48)

Table 30. FVT 144 Smooth brome dry forage yields. Southern Mountains, Haywood County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry ForagJ

J

Harvest Total Total Two

Dates For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/23 1978 1977 Average

Smooth Brome

Saratoga 6130 6130 9138 7634

Lincoln 5590 5590 8139 6865

Blair 6351 6351 8044 7198

Baylor 2/ 6493 6493 7460 6977

Debora1:F 4951 4951 7063 6007

Achenbach 5634 5634 7012 6323

Mean of Test 5858 5858 7809 6834

L.S.D. ( .05) 943 943 N.S.

( .01) N.S. N.S. N.S.

Fertilized at seeding at rate of: 50 1bs/acre P_205, 100 1bs/acre K

20.

March 21, 1978 - 50 1bs/acre P_205, 100 1bs/acre K₂₀

+

75 1bs/acre N.

(49)

47

Table 31. FVT 148 Birdsfoot trefoil, dry forage yields. Southern Mountains, Haywood County, North Carolina - 1978.

Pounds Per Acre Dry

FOrag~/

Total Total Two

Harvest Dates For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/23 7/5 8/16 1978 1977 Average

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Maitland 4709 3427 804 8939 7920 8430

Viking 4357 3285 728 8369 7821 8095

Carroll 4255 3626 421 8302 7889 8096

Empire 4082 3500 699 8280 7236 7558

Leo 4658 3270 672 7668 7925 7797

Dawn 3802 3190 328 7319 7695 7507

Mean of Test 4298 3383 608 8146 7757 7952

L.S.D. ( .05) 769 N.S. 233 N.S. N.S.

( .01) N.S. N.S. 317 N.S. N.S.

Fertilized at seeding at rate of: _{50 1bs/acre P205' 100 1bs/acre K20/} March 21, 1978 - 73 lbs/acre PO, 146 Ibs/acre K 0.

(50)

Upper Mountain Research Station, Northern Mountains, Ashe County

March through September precipitation totaled 30.34 inches. Spring rain-fall was favorable. However periods of moisture stress developed in June, July and September.

FVT 133 - Perennial Forages. This test was located approximately 3200 feet above sea leveJ, on relatively steep terrain and consisted of four separate trials including varieties of timothy, orchardgrass, smooth bromegrass and bridsfoot trefoil.

Intense weed pressure from native bluegrass-white clover vegetation was evident during 1978. The timothy varieties were essentially eliminated in that they were too weedy to harvest. The variety Clair was the most persistent variety based on visual estimates.

The smooth brome entries produced excellent first harvest yields averaging over 2.5 tons per acre, but dry weather resulted in poor aftermath production thus only one harvest was made during 1978. Three harvests of trefoil were

(51)

49

Table 32. FVT 133 Perennial forages, dry forage yields. Northern Mountains, Ashe County, North Carolina - 1978

Pounds Per Acre Dry Forage Yields!.!

Total Total Total Three

Harvest Dates For Year For Year For Year Year

Entry 5/31 7/20 9/6 1978 1977 1976 Average

Smooth Brome

Lincoln 5757 5757 5848 1953 4519

Blair 5626 5626 5827 2115 4523

Baylor 5083 5083 8450 1715 5083

Achenbach 4725 4725 6349 1657 4244

Mean of Test 5298 5298 6618 1862 4593

-L.S.D. ( .05) N.S. N.S. 1849 N.S.

( .01) N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S.

Birdsfoot Trefoil

Leo 1825 1714 1194 4734 7765 2125 4875

Carroll 1493 1526 1412 4431 7662 1563 4552

Maitland 1592 1252 1203 4048 8081 1801 4643

Viking 1298 1241 1221 3760 7114 1701 4192

Empire 906 1219 1142 3267 6828 2019 4038

Dawn 989 1200 871 3060 8360 1973 4464

Mean of Test 1351 1359 1174 3883 7635 1864 4461

-L.S.D. ( .05) N.S. 327 N.S. 1009 909 N.S.

( .01) N.S. N.S. N.S. N.S. 1241 N.S.

Orchardgrass

Pennmead 6001 1001 2166 9168 8581 3367 7039

Dayton 5625 842 2203 8670 8330 2183 6394

Penn1ate 4897 1115 2555 8566 7948 2835 6450

Boone 4803 1184 2242 8229 9194 2256 6560

Mean of Test 5331 1035 2292 8658 8513 2661 6611

L.S.D. (.05) 1254 157 N.S. N.S. N.S. 416

( .01) N.S. 221 N.S. N.S. N.S. 576

11

A f f· 1 · ·

- verage 0 1ve rep 1cat1ons.

Seeded April 14 and 15, 1976 at rate of: Smooth Brome - 25 lbs/acre, Birdsfoot trefoil - 12 lbs/acre, Timothy - 15 1bs/acre, Orchardgrass -20 lbs/acre.

Fertilization: Not fertilized at planting as recommended by soil test. 50 lbs. acre N. after first harvest (1976 grasses only)

Maintenance: _{March 21, 1977 - 50 lbs. P205' 100 lbs. K20 per acre} all plots, 75 1bs/acre N. on grass plots.

March 28, 1978 - 45 lbs. P

205, 135 lbs. K20 per acre all plots, 75 lbs/acre N on grass plots.

(52)

APPENDIX

List of Appendix Tables Page

1 Climatological Data for Rockingham County Location i

2 Clima tological Data for Pitt County Location ii 3 Climatological Data for Rowan County Location iii 4 Climatological Data for Wilson County Location iv

(53)

i

Table 1. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation in inches. Piedmont, Rockingham County, 1978.

Temperature

Departure from long

Month Mean term mean Highest Date Lowest Date

Jan. 29.0 -11.1 64 9 4 11+

Feb. 30.7 -11.1 66 26 8

Mar. 44.4 - 4.6 76 30 16 5

Apr. 57.6 - 1.8 84 11 37 27+

May 63.3 - 4.4 88 31 42 11+

June 73.4 - 1.3 94 29+ 49 15+

July 75.6 - 2.1 94 23 57 12+

Aug. 76.2 .4 92 1 57 22

Sept. 70.3 .2 92 10 46 29+

Oct. 55.9 - 4.6 81 24 32

Nov. 51.1 .9 76 32 26

Dec. 40.9m .1 72 9 16 29

+Also earlier date or dates.

Precipitation

Departure No. of days with

from long Greatest in precipitation

Month Total term mean 24 hours Date 0.10 in or over

Jan. 9.10 5.96 1.77 26 9

Feb. .67 -2.65 .26 22

Mar. 5.22 1.45 1.52 10 8

Apr. 6.44 3.09 3.80 26 6

May 5.06 1.36 2.20 5 6

June 3.99 .31 1.17 8

July 9.64 5.57 3.40 25

Aug. 5.94 2.02 1.25 4 10

Sept. 3.92 .02 3.70 1 1

Oct. 2.40

-

.70 -1.05 1 5

Nov. 3.41 .59 .79 30

(54)

Table 2. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation in inches. Coastal Plain, Pitt County, 1978.

Temperature

Departure from long

Jan. 36.0 - 6.3 71 26 11 12+

Feb. 33.9 -10.2 69 25 15

Mar. 49.2 - 2.1 81 24 20 5

Apr. 60.9 .2 88 11+ 39 28+

May 66.6 - 2.9 90 31+ 42 3

June 74.8 - 1.4 97 28 48 15

July 76.8 - 2.6 96 23 53 6

Aug. 79.6 1.4 96 20 62 24

Sept. 73.5 .6 96 9 47 27

Oct. 59.5 - 3.3 84 23 33 25

Nov. 55.5 2.8 80 15 30 26

Dec. 45.4 1.8 82 4 18 29

+Also earlier date o r dates.

Precipitatlon

Jan. 5.93 2.37 2.06 20

Feb. 1.23 -2.35 .38 17 5

Mar. 4.38 .64 1.69 27

Apr. 6.76 3.49 2.07 26 8

May 5.95 2.26 1.86 5 9

June 4.44 .18 1.27 22 10

July 3.67 -2.45 1.56 17 6

Aug. 5.50 - .58 3.45 28 8

Sept. .88 -4.02 .74 2 2

Oct. 1.22 -1.54 1.08 2 1

Nov. 4.79 1.74 1.77 30

(55)

iii

Table 3. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation in inches. Piedmont, Rowan CountYt 1978.

Temperature

Departure from long

Jan. 34.0 66 8 6 11

Feb. 35.8 70 25 11

Mar. 48.0 80 24 14 5

Apr. 60.5 90 2 30 22

May 65.8 90 30 37 3

June 75.6 100 28 49 15

July 77.9 97 10 53

Aug. 78.0 95 30+ 56 25+

Sept. 73.4 93 19+ 51 28+

Oct. 58.1 84 23 30 18

Nov. 53.3 78 6 30 26

Dec. 43.7 73 8 17 29+

+A1so earlier date or dates.

Precipitation

from long Greatest in precipitation Month Total term mean 24 hours Date 0.10 in or over

Jan. 7.38 1.41 25 11

Feb. .49 .18 28 2

Mar. 5.18 1.59 10 8

Apr. 3.21 1.20 26 5

May 5.38 2.92 4 6

June 2.49 .99 6 4

July 4.23 2.10 16 6

Aug. 5.55 2.24 1 8

Sept. 3.43 3.20 3 2

Oct. 1.23 .98 1 2

Nov. 3.29 .59 27

(56)

Table 4. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit and precipitation in inches. Coastal Plain, Wilson County, 1978.

Temperature

Departure from long

Jan. 35.4 - 7.1 71 26 13 12

Feb. 33.2 -11.1 68 26 15

Mar. 47.8 - 3.5 81 25 20 5

Apr. 60.0 - 1.4 87 11 36 23

May 66.2 - 3.2 91 31 42 2

June 77.2 - 1.1 97 29 49 15

July 77.2 - 2.1 96 25+ 54 6

Aug. 78.7 .6 96 20 58 23

Sept. 72.7 .1 98 10 47 27

Oct. 59.5 - 3.0 84 27+ 32 26+

Nov. 55.3 3.2 79 31 26

Dec. 44.2 .8 81 5 21, 29

+A1so earlier date or dates.

Precipitation

Jan. 5.49 2.06 1.61 20 8

Feb. 1.07 -2.53 .26 22 5

Mar. 5.42 1.49 1.83 27 9

Apr. 5.29 2.09 1.95 26 8

May 3.49 - .07 1.16 14 6

June 5.62 1.50 1.59 27 8

July 5.69

-

.45 1.66 25

Aug. 3.62 -2.13 1.71 27

Sept. 1.98 -2.04 .94 12 2

Oct. 1.22 -1.49 .91 2 3

Nov. 5.98 2.93 1.59 8