Author(s)

Philip Creighton¹, Emer Kennedy², Deirdre Hennessy², Michael O’Donovan²

¹Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway, Ireland.
²Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Centre, Teagasc, Moorepark, Fermoy, Co. Cork, Ireland.

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 < 0.05) and total (P < 0.01 Autumn only) DM yield than the control sward. All reseeding methods increased the perennial ryegrass tiller density of the sward compared to the old permanent pasture (P < 0.05 Autumn trial, P < 0.001 Spring trial). All sward renewal methods evaluated were equally as effective as the conventional method of grassland reseeding with the DIQ rejuvenation method intermediate as measured in terms of DM yield and PRG tiller density. The results of the study show no significant difference in the level of nitrate lost in leachate following reseeding regardless of method used or indeed any difference between reseeded swards and old permanent pasture.

Grass Planting, Pasture and Grazing

Creighton, P. , Kennedy, E. , Hennessy, D. and O’Donovan, M. (2016) Impacts of Sward Renewal Method with Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) on Dry Matter Yield, Tiller Density and Nitrate Leaching. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 7, 684-694. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2016.74061.