Agronomic performance of quackgrass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) dominant grassland in the Tohoku District in Japan
2007
Yagi, T.(National Agricultural Research Center for Tohokuy Region, Morioka (Japan)) | Meguro, R. | Fukuda, E.
Quackgrass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv.) is considered to be a noxious weed in northern Japan, and controlling its growth is difficult because of its aggressive spreading by rhizomes. We conducted field experiments on quackgrass to determine its forage productivity, quality and nutritive value for use as a forage crop. The mean annual dry matter yields during five years were 976-1,311kgDM/10a on meadow and 648-1,042kgDM/10a on simulated pasture. The fluctuation of seasonal productivity was small in comparison with other forage grasses. The persistency of quackgrass dominance in meadows was very high; on the other hand, quackgrass coverage decreased gradually in pastures. After the boot stage, the total digestible nutrients (TDN) and crude protein concentration decreased. The rate of decrease in quackgrass was lower than that in orchardgrass. Quackgrass had an annual average TDN concentration of 59%, which was higher than Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) and lower than orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) on grazing utilization.
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