TITLE:
Impacts of Sward Renewal Method with Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) on Dry Matter Yield, Tiller Density and Nitrate Leaching
AUTHORS:
Philip Creighton, Emer Kennedy, Deirdre Hennessy, Michael O’Donovan
KEYWORDS:
Grass Planting, Pasture and Grazing
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.7 No.4,
March
30,
2016
ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate alternative methods of grassland renewal (reseeding) with perennial ryegrass and quantify their effects on subsequent DM yield, tiller density and nitrate leaching. Two experiments were carried out; the first focused on quantifying the influence of Autumn reseeding (August cultivation), and the second, on Spring reseeding (May cultivation) on sward establishment and grass DM production. The study incorporated six treatments namely: direct drill (DD), disc plus power harrow (DPH), power harrow (PH), conventional-plough, till and sow (PLO), and the chemical application of diquat to suppress the existing sward followed by direct drilling (DIQ), represented a rejuvenation method as opposed to full renewal (Spring trial only). All treatments were compared against a control (old permanent pasture). Reseeded swards produced more seasonal (P