Track 2-04: Animal-Plant Interactions
Description
Boer lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula var. conferta) is an introduced species planted to increase productivity on deteriorated rangelands in northern Mexico. Forage production with Boer lovegrass achieves an increase of two to three fold when compared to native grasses, however, as stands became old, pasture productivity and forage quality declines due to a reduction in available nutrients causing a reduction in grazing capacity and beef production. Previous studies have shown that biosolids enhance seedling establishment, plant growth and increases forage production in the species, but no data is available to measure changes in forage quality and animal performance. This study was conducted to evaluate pasture nutritive value and cattle preferences on a 15 year old Boer lovegrass stand three summers following biosolids application.
Citation
Moreno, Salomón M.; Martin, Martha R.; Ibarra, Fernando; Martínez, Roque; Martell, Agustín Cabral; Denogean, Francisco B.; and Retes, Rafael, "Nutritive Value and Cattle Preferences in an Old Boer Lovegrass Stand Treated with Biosolids in Cananea, Sonora, México" (2020). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 15.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/22/2-4/15
Included in
Nutritive Value and Cattle Preferences in an Old Boer Lovegrass Stand Treated with Biosolids in Cananea, Sonora, México
Boer lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula var. conferta) is an introduced species planted to increase productivity on deteriorated rangelands in northern Mexico. Forage production with Boer lovegrass achieves an increase of two to three fold when compared to native grasses, however, as stands became old, pasture productivity and forage quality declines due to a reduction in available nutrients causing a reduction in grazing capacity and beef production. Previous studies have shown that biosolids enhance seedling establishment, plant growth and increases forage production in the species, but no data is available to measure changes in forage quality and animal performance. This study was conducted to evaluate pasture nutritive value and cattle preferences on a 15 year old Boer lovegrass stand three summers following biosolids application.
