FORAGE CROPS VARIETY TESTING

Transcription

1 FORAGE CROPS VARIETY TESTING 1966

2 INTRODUCTION EVALUATION OF FORAGE CROPS VARIETIES IN NORTH CAROLINA Numerous forage crops are grown on farms allover North Carolina. The data presented here are summaries of variety tests and are given in one publication for the convenience of persons interested in anyone or a number of different forages. Only summer annual grasses (Part I) and perennial cool-season forages (Part II) were tested in It is anticipated that in years to come a larger number of tests with more species will be included in this annual publication. The separate parts of this report are complete in that each gives information on experimental procedure, locations, and data gathered. The purpose of this publication is to furnish farmers, seedsmen, agricultural workers, and other interested persons with readily available information with which they can compare hybrids and varieties of forage crops as they may be used for grazing or hay (silage information is included in Research Reports on field crop variety tests). Some varieties and hybrids are entered in the program through a fee system.

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION..... PART I. Summer Annual Grasses. Agencies Sponsoring Entries... EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE. RESULTS Cultural Practices Harvesting and Sampling.. Geographical and Climatological Information PART Piedmont, Yields, Combined Locations Raleigh, Yields Dry Matter Percentage... Temperature and Precipitation.. Salisbury, Yields Dry Matter Percentage.... Leaf-Stem Percentage..... Crude Protein, Crude Fiber Percentage. Summary, Season Performance Temperature and Precipitation.. Seeding Rates, Germination, Stand Counts Coastal Plain, Yields, Combined Locations.. Willard, Yields. Dry Matter Percentage... Temperature and Precipitation Plymouth, Yields..... Dry Matter Percentage.... Leaf-Stem Percentage.... Crude Protein, Crude Fiber Percentage. Summary, Season Performance.. Temperature and Precipitation 1965 Results.... Season Performance Coastal Plain Piedmont Two-Year and Three-Year Averages Crude Protein, Total Digestible Nutrients II. Cool Season Perennial Forages EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Cultural Practices... Harvesting and Sampling RESULTS.. Yields... Orchardgrass Fescuegrass. Red Clover.... Ladino Clover..... Alfalfa

5 4 Part I Summer Annual Grasses Simulated Grazing Trials The performance of different varieties of numerous species of forage crops in different areas of the state depends on their adaptation to the soil and climatic conditions of the particular area in which they are grown. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids, sudangrass, and pearl millet varieties were tested at four locations in The data provide information on the performance of commercial and experimental varieties. Such information provides a guide for the breeder in developing new varieties as well as a guide for the agricultural workers and farmers choosing varieties for a particular area. Table 1 gives the agencies who sponsored the entries of summer annual grasses in tests for 1966.

6 5. Table 1. Name, address~ and hybrid designation of agencies sponsoring entries in the 1966 North Carolina Summer Annual Grazing Performance Trials. Name Address Hybrid Designation Asgrow Seed Company P. O. Box 4264 Atlanta, Georgia Grazer A Cotton Hybrid Research, Inc. Route 2, Winder, Georgia Southern Cross DeKalb Agricultural Assoc. Farmer's Forage Research Coop. Frontier Hybrids, Inc. w. R. Grace & Co. Rudy-Patrick Seed Division Hunt and Tipps Seed Co. McNair Seed Co. Route 2, Lubbock, Texas Route 2, Box 290 Lafayette, Inc Scott City, Kansas Route 3 Ames, Iowa th Street Lubbock, Texas Laurinburg, N. C Sudax SX-12 Sudax SX-11 FFR-66 Hidan 35 Hidan 39 Mar Su Su I Green-M McNair l01-F Northrup, King and Co. P. O. Box 1612 Lubbock, Texas Trudan 2 Trudan 4 Sordan Paymaster Seeds Box 1630 Plainview, Texas Sweet Sioux X-5817 Pfister Asso. Growers, Inc. Aurora, Illinois Su-Chow P-A-G 35 Taylor-Evans Seed Co. Box 480 Tulia, Texas T-E Haygrazer T-E Grazemaster Todd Hybrid Sales, Inc. P. O. Box 66 Abbottstown, Pa Hay-Chow 21 R. C. Young Seed & Grain Co. Agri. Research Ser., USDA N. C. Agr. Extension Service th Street Lubbock, Texas Beltsville, Maryland Raleigh, N. C. Kow Kandy Gahi I Millet Gahi II Millet Starr Millet Greenleaf Sudan Piper Sudan Sweet 372 Sudan Suhi I Sudan GM-65 BBT-S

7 6 Experimental Procedure A randomized, complete-block design was used with five replicates. Plots consisted of four rows, 9 in. apart and 20 ft. long. Yields were taken from 18 ft. of the two center rows. Cultural Practices Each location received 500 lb./acre of a complete fertilizer before seeding. The amount of any given component varied from location to location according to soil test results, but in each case at least 30 lb. of elemental nitrogen was supplied per acre. Ammonium nitrate ( ) was applied as follows: 50 lb. elemental nitrogen per acre (N/A) two weeks prior to the first harvest, 40 lb. N/A after the second harvest, and 50 lb. N/A after the third harvest. The applied pounds of N/A for the season were 190, 180, 170 and 180 for Raleigh, Salisbury, Willard and Plymouth, respectively. Plots were seeded with a four-row, plot seeder equipped with a seed divider. Seed were weighed for each plot and divided four ways before being deposited into the furrow. Sorghum types were planted at 44 lb./acre, sudangrass and sudangrass types at 33 lb./acre and millets at 28 lb./acre. Seeding rates were adjusted on the basis of germination as determined in our laboratory. Table 14 shows plant populations. Seeding dates were May 4, 5, 12 and 19 for Willard, Plymouth, Raleigh and Salisbury, respectively. Standard practices were employed in seedbed preparation, fertilization, and weeding, and were the same for all entries in a given test.

8 7 No cultivation was done at any location, but an application of 2,4-D was made at Plymouth when seedlings were about four inches tall. Crabgrass became a problem by the middle of the season at all locations except Plymouth. Crabgrass was either removed from the sample before weighing, or the amount of crabgrass was estimated and subtracted from the sample weight. By reducing the distance between rows, the problem of weed infestation may have been reduced. Harvesting and Sampling Four harvests were made at each location at a time when most varieties were 30 to 36 in. tall. Plymouth was an exception in that the first and third harvests were delayed by wet field conditions. The millets and sorghum-sudan hybrids were 48 to 60 in. tall. Harvests were made with a sickle-bar mower of the type most commonly used in experimental forage crop tests. The machine was equipped with a reel and catch pan and the blade was stablized at 6 in. above the ground. Green weights were recorded for each plot directly as they were cut. Sub-samples were taken from replications one, three, and five, and their weights were recorded. These sub-samples constituted approximately twenty-five percent of the total and were dried at Fahrenheit Moisture remaining in the sub-samples was determined by the analytical laboratory to be between three and five percent. No attempt was made to standardize dry-weight yields. Only two locations, one in the Piedmont and one in the Coastal Plain, were used to gather various data other than green-weight and dry-weight yields.

9 8 After drying, samples were ground through a hammer mill, and a representative portion of the sample was taken before grinding through a Wiley Mill. Crude protein was calculated as percent nitrogen multiplied by Samples used for crude fiber determinations were gound through a hammer mill and then composited by harvests over the season constituting ten percent of the total dry yield. This resulted in three crude fiber determinations on each variety tested. The A.G.A.C. method was used to determine crude fiber percent. Nitrogen was analyzed by the Kjeldahl Process. Leaf-stem determinations were made from grab samples taken as green material at the first and third harvests. Data reported are on a dryweight basis with determinations having been made from five to twenty percent of the total harvested yield samples. HCN (prussic or hydrocyanic acid) samples were taken from the first and third harvests and immediately frozen between layers of dry ice. A sample consisted of the topmost randomly selected leaves to yield 100 grams. These samples remain in a frozen state until the analytical laboratory can make HCN determinations. HCN analyses were not made in time to be included in this report. Therefore, data on this phase will necessarily be omitted from this publication but will appear in the report to be made on the 1967 tests. Geographical and Climatological Information All tests were located on state owned research farms and, except for the Willard location, all were subjected to extreme drought conditions involving approximately one-third of the growing season (most of July and August - see Climatological tables for each location).

10 9. North Carolina State University Research Farm (Raleigh): This farm is located at Raleigh in the extreme eastern part of the Piedmont. Soils of this area are gray sandy-ioams with red, reddish-yellow, or yellow firm clay subsoils. Slopes are mostly 4 to 12 percent, and most fields have had some erosion. The elevation is approximately four-hundred feet above sea level. This location received 3/4 in. of water by irrigation on July 29. Piedmont Research Station (Salisbury): This station is approximately in the center of the North Carolina Piedmont area. Soils are mostly of the Cecil-Lloyd clay-loam types with slopes from 4 to 18 percent, and slightly to severely eroded. The elevation is approximately eight-hundred feet above sea level. Coastal Plain Research Station (Willard): This station is in the southeastern section of the state and is approximately fifty feet above sea level. Soils are fair to poorly drained and are of the fine to very fine sandy-loam texture. Although the 1966 test was located on drained land, heavy and frequent rains throughout most of the season may have contributed to the high coefficient of variability (C.V.) shown on yields for this location. Tidewater Research Station (Plymouth): This station is located in the northeastern part of the state at an elevation approximately twenty feet above sea level. The area is characterized by having a high water-table and requires drainage. Soils of the area are siltloams, fine sandy-loams, and peat-muck. There is some risk of both late-spring and early-fall frosts. The poor stand of Starr millet may have been caused by an extremely wet, cool spring. Corn in the area

11 10 showed considerable damage at this time as did most varieties included in this test. Results The data presented in tables 1 through 26 are summaries of the information obtained on various characters relative to summer annual grasses grown at four locations in North Carolina in 1966: two in the Piedmont and two in the Coastal Plain. Yields (by dates and for the season), leaf and stem percentages, and protein and fiber content are given. Prussic acid (HCN) content for the 1966 tests will be published with the results from the 1967 tests. Two and three-year averages are given for varieties that were tested more than one year. Tables 27 and 28 show chemical values for the 1965 summer annual grass tests. Dry forage yields, on a combined-location summary of entries, ranged from 2.06 to 4.25 tons/acre in the Piedmont, and from 1.47 to 5.33 tons/ acre in the Coastal Plain. No attempt is made to specify the superiority of any variety. It would seem, however, that those varieties which are above the mean for a particular test would offer more potential than the others. One must examine all characters over a period of years to determine which variety might be best suited for a particular climatic region, soil type, period of production, or specific farm need. The relative value of maximum-tonnage forages versus less-tonnage forages with higher quality should be determined and applied to the individual's specific need. Protein, fiber content, and leafiness may be important in making these evaluations.

12 11. Table 2. Dry forage yield of summer annual grasses under simulated grazing,piedmont Region, combined locations, Raleigh and Salisbury, N. C., / ~ Grazer A FFR-66 Hidan 39 X-5817 Haygrazer 1st Dry yield of forage per acre (tons) by harvests 2 yr. Ave. * 3 yr. Ave. 2nd 3rd 4th Total ,, SX-12 Green M Sordan Mor Su Kow Kandy Su I Sweet Sioux Grazemaster P.A.G. 35 Hay Chow ,, Southern Cross Hidan MEAN OF TEST Gahi I F Trudan 4 Gahi 2 Piper Trudan ** Greenleaf Starr Sweet ** C.v.% LoS.D.(.05) L. S. D. (.01) / Average of five replicates. * All two-year averages are based on three locations - one in 1965 and two in ** Based on four locations - all other three-year averages are based on five locations"

13 12. Table 3. Forag~ yield of summer annual grasses unde? simulated grazing at Raleigh (Piedmont), North Carolina, Yield of forage per acre (tons) Season's Totals ~ Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Grazer A FFR Kow Kandy Green M Hidan Mor Su Sordan P.A.G Southern Cross Trudan X Su I SX Haygrazer Gahi I Piper Suhi I MEAN OF TEST Hay Chow Gahi II Grazemaster Sweet Sioux Trudan F Hidan Starr ~.O4 BBT-S Greenleaf GM Sweet c.v. %.75 L.S.D. (.05) L.S.D. (.01) / Average of five replicates.

14 13. Table 4. Percent dry matter of summer annual grassi' at various harvests at Raleigh (Piedmont), North Carolina, Entry Dry matter by dates (%) Average* P.A.G. 35 Trudan 2 Trudan 4 Sordan Grazer A F Su I Mor Su Haygrazer Grazemaster Hay Chow 21 Southern Cross SX-12 Sweet Sioux X-5817 Kow-Kandy Hidan 35 Hidan 39 Green M FFR-66 Gahi I Gahi II Starr Greenleaf Piper Sweet 372 Suhi I GM-65 B~T-S / * Average of three replicates. Computed as total dry weight for season as percent of total green weight.

15 14. Table 5. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at Raleigh-Durham Airport, growing season, Departure Month Mean from long Highest Date Lowest term mean Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apro May June July Aug Sept also earlier date or dates. Date Table 6. Precipitation in inches at Raleigh-Durham Airport, growing season, Departure No. of days with Month Total from long Greatest in Date precipitation term mean 24 hours 0.10 in. or ove.r Oct Nov Deco Jan Febo Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept ,

16 15. Table 7. Forage yield of summer annual grasses under simulated grazing at Salisbury (Piedmont), North Carolina, / Yield of forage per acre (tons) Season's Totals Entry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Hidan ,, Sweet Sioux X ~ c Haygrazer 6,, SX ~ Grazer A ,,26 6,, ,, Hidan FFR e Sordan BBT-S Green M Grazemaster ,, Su I Hay Chow Mor Su eOO F ,, MEAN OF TEST Kow Kandv P.A.G ,, ~ Southern Cross ,, Gahi I ,, ,, Trudan ,, Trudan ,, Gahi II 5,, ,, Piper Greenleaf ,,00 3,, c Starr ,, Sweet ,, c.v. % L.S.n, (.05) LeSoD. (.01) / Average of five replicates..

17 16. Table 8. Percent dry matter of summer annual grasses qt various harvests at Salisbury (Piedmont), North Carolina, / Dry matter by dates (%) ~ P.A.G. 35 Trudan 2 Trudan 4 Sordan Grazer A Average* l-F Su I Mor Su Haygrazer Grazemaster Hay Chow 21 Southern Cross SX-12 Sweet Sioux X-5817 Kow Kandy Hidan 35 Hidan 39 Green M FFR-66 Gahi I Gahi II Starr Greenleaf Piper Sweet 372 BBT-S o o / Average of three replicates. * Computed as total dry weight for season as percent of total green weight

18 17. Table 9. Leaf and stem percentages of summer annual grasses at Salisbury (Piedmont), North Carolina, / Percent leaves and stems in dry forage Ave. 2 Harvests Entry Leaves Stems Leaves Stems Leaves Stems P.A.G Trudan Trudan ~ Sordan 61,, Grazer A 62,,0 38,, ,, ,F ,, Su I 61~4 38,, Mar Su 57,,9 4/ Haygrazer ,, Grazernaster 65c Hay Chow , Southern Cross 61e7 38, SX-12 69,4 30,, Sweet Sioux c X , Kow Kandy 59,, Hidan Hidan e Green M ,6 60c FFR Gahi I e Gahi II Starr ,, Greenleaf 63Q ,, Piper ,, Sweet ,, BBT-S ,, / Average of three replicates.

19 Table Percentage by harvests, of crude protein and dig~stib1e protein and percent~ges of cru1e fiber for the season, Salisbury (Piedm~nt) North Caro1~na, ' Crude C.P. D.P. C.P. D.P. C~P. D.P. C.P. D.P. Fiber Entry 70 % % % % % % % % PAG Trudan Trudan Sordan Grazer A F Su I Mor Su Haygrazer Grazemaster Hay Chow Southern Cross SX Sweet Sioux X Kow Kandy Hidan Hidan Green M FFR Gahi I Gahi II Starr Greenleaf Piper Sweet BBT-S General Mean % C. v. (.05) L. S. D. (.01) L. S. D. 1/ All percentages are averages of three replicates. Crude fiber samples were composited over the season to give one sample per replicate.

20 19. Table 11. Performance of summer annual gras (Piedmont), North Carolina, I7s for the season at Salisbury Digestible Total Digestible Estimated Dry Wt. Crude Protein Protein Nutrients Net Energy Entry (Tons) % 1b/acre % 1b/a % 1b/acre % 1b/acre Hidan Sweet Sioux X-58l Haygrazer SX Grazer A Hidan FFR Sordan BBT-S Green M Grazemaster Su I Hay Chow Mor Su F General Mean Kow Kandy PAG Southern Cross Gahi I Trudan Trudan Gahi II Piper Greenleaf Sta r rw Sweet 372* ' C. V. % L. S. D. (.05) L. S. D. (.01) * Statistical data do not include Starr millet and Sweet 372 sudangrass since they had no yield on the last harvest 0 1/ Dry matter yields are averages of five replicates. Percentages are averages of three replicates; each replicate percentage having been obtained by dividing the total of the component for the season by the dry matter yield for the season. This method of calculation gives proper weight to each separate component in separate cuttings for each replicate individually.

21 20 Table 12. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at Salisbury (Piedmont), N. C., growing season Month Mean Departure from long term mean Highest Date Lowest Date Octo ,, Novo ,, Deco Jan Feb Maro ~ Apr , May June July Aug ,, Sept also earlier date or dates Table 13. Precipitation in inches at Salisbury (Piedmont), N. c. growing season, Departure Month Total from long Greatest in Date term mean 24 hours Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb Mar Apr May 2.37 June 2,,43 July 2,, No. of days with precipitation 0.10 in. or over ,, Aug Sept ~

22 21. Table 14. Seeding rates, yermination and stand counts of summer annual grasse3 (1966) /..'~ Rate/A'" % Actual Plants/A (in 1000's) Entry lbs. Germination Sa1isbury-Wil1ard-P1ymouth P.A.G Trudan Trudan Sordan Grazer A l0l-F Su I Mar Su Haygrazer Grazemaster Hay Chow Southern Cross SX Sweet Sioux X-58l Kow Kandy Hidan Hidan Green M FFR Gahi I Gahi II Starr ,,;'e* Greenleaf Piper Sweet Suhi I GM BBT-S SX-ll / Stand counts at the Raleigh location were not made, but by observation the stand was sufficient for obtaining good yields. -Ie Pure live seed = seeding rate adjusted to germinable seed. 'k"/e Starr at the Plymouth location died soon after stand counts were made. See discussion, Geographical and Climatological Information.

23 22. Table 15. Dry forage yield of summer annual grasses under simulated graz' Coastal Plain region, combined locations, Plymouth and Willard, 1966.!~' ~ Gahi 2 Gahi 1 Grazer A FFR-66 Haygrazer 1st Dry yield of forage per acre (tons) by harvest 2 yr. Ave.* 3 yr. Ave. 2nd 3rd 4th Total ,, * k 5.07** 4.22 Grazemaster Green M Southern Cross Sweet Sioux BBT-S ,, ,,85, k * X-58l7 SX F MEAN SX-ll OF TEST 711 Sordan Trudan 2 Trudan 4 Greenleaf Piper Sweet 372 C.v. % LoS.D. (.05) LoS.D. (.01) ,, ** 1-/ * ** Average of five replicates and All two year averages are based on three locations - one in two in Based on four locations - all other three-year averages are based on five locationso

24 23. Table 16. Forage yield of summer annual grasses under simulated grazing at Willard (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, Yield of forage per acre (tons) Season's Totals Entry Green Dry ']reen Dry Green Dry Green Dry Gree.n Dry Gahi ~ Gahi ~75 10,, Grazer A ~ Starr 4,, FFR Haygrazer 6.36,91 4~ Grazemaster ,, ,, Sweet Sioux 7~ ,, Green M 5051,87 4, Southern Cross 3"84 u BBT-S 4$ loll X ~ MEAN OF TEST ~ SX-12 4,69 70.~, F =38 Sordan SX ~59 5e GM-65 3,,74,, , Trudan Trudan ,, Greenleaf ( Piper Sweet ,, ,'r; c.v. % , LoS.n, (.05) 0,,40 0, L.SoDc (.01) Average of five. replicates. * See discussion on Geographical and Climatological Information.

25 24. Table 17. Percent dry matter of summer annual grasses at various harvests at Willard (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, 1966.l/ Dry matter by dates (%) Entry Average* Trudan Trudan Sordan Grazer A l01-F Haygrazer Grazemaster Southern Cross SX-1l SX Sweet Sioux X-58l Green-M FFR Gahi I Gahi II Starr 13< Greenleaf Piper Sweet GM BBT-S / Average of three replicates. ;'-: Computed as total dry weight for season as percent of total green weight

26 25. Table 18. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at Willard (Coastal Plain), N. C., growing season, Departure Month Mean from long Highest Date Lowest Date term mean Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb ~ Mar. 52,,3-1,, Apro "L- '"' May ,, June 72.5 ~ July 78w Aug Sept" also earlier date or dateso Table 19. Precipitation in inches at Willard (Coastal Plain), N. C., growing season, Departure No. of days with Month Total from long Greatest in Date precipitation term mean 24 hours 0.10 in. or over Oct Novo Dec Jan Feb. 6,, Mar Apr" 1.80 ~ May June 4.22 ~O July Aug ,, Sept

27 26. Table 20. Forage yield of summer annual grasses under simulated grazing at Plymouth (Coastal P1ain)~ North Carolina, Yield of forage per acre (tons) ,., Season's Totals Entry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Green Dry Gahi II 4027 u62 13,54 2~ Grazemaster Green M ~ 61 4~97 1 co ,, Grazer A 9~54 1,, ,, Haygrazer ,,91 2,, Southern Cross ~ Suhi I ,, FFR ,, Gahi I 4,, BBT-S , SX-11 10, F ,, c , loll SX-12 8? ,,03 12u ,, Sweet Sioux ~1 4.64,, X , ,, MEAN OF TEST Sordan 8,16 1~ < Trudan ,, Trudan Piper c Greenleaf 5,, , Sweet , No yield St ar rw CoV. % L.S.D. (.05) (.01), 4l~ LoS.Do 1/ Average of five replicates. "k Died of unknown causes, See discussion, Geographical and Information. Climatological

28 27. Table 21. Percent dry matter of summer annual grasses at v,rious harvests at Plymouth (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, Dry matter by dates (%) ~ Average* Trudan Trudan Sordan Grazer A F Haygrazer Grazemaster Southern Cross SX-ll SX Sweet Sioux X Green M FFR Gahi I Gahi II Starr** No yield Greenleaf Piper Sweet Suhi I BBT-S / Average of three replicates. * Computed as total dry weight for season as percent of total green weight. ** Died of unknown causes.

29 28. Table 220 Leaf and stem percentages of summer annqal grasses at Plymouth (Coastal Plain)) North Carolina, / Percent leaves and stems in dry forages Ave. Two Harvests Entry Leaves Stems Leaves Stems Leaves Stems Trudan Trudan 4 51, Sordan Grazer A " DO l0l-F 60,, Haygrazer Grazemaster Southern Cross SX-ll SX-l2 57,, Sweet Sioux X-58l ,, Green M 51 e FFR-66 50c3 49" c Gahi I Gahi II 85eO Starr* No Yield Greenleaf D Piper Sweet ,, Suhi I Lt BBT-S / Average of three replicateso ok Died of unknown causes.

30 29. Table 23. Percentages, by harvests, of crude protein and digestible protein, and percentages of crude fiber for the season, Plymouth (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, / Crude C.P. D.P. C.P. D.P. C.P. D.P. C.P. D.P. Fiber Entry % % % % % % % % % Trudan Trudan Sordan Grazer A F Haygrazer Grazemaster Southern Cross SX SX Sweet Sioux X Green M FFR Gahi I Gahi II Greenleaf Piper Sweet Suhi I BBT-S General Mean C. v. % L. S. D. (.05) L. S. D. (.01) / All percentages are averages of three replicates. Crude fiber samples were composited over the season to give one sample per replicate.

31 30. Table 24. Performance of summer annual grasses for the season at Plymouth (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, / Dry Wte (Tons) Crude Protein % 1b/acre Digestible Protein 10 1b/ a Total Digestible Nutrients % 1b/acre Estimated Net Energy % lb/acre Gahi II Grazemaster Green M Grazer A Haygrazer Southern Cross Suhi I FFR-66 Gahi I BBT-S SX-ll 66l01-F 711 SX-12 Sweet Sioux X-58l7 General Mean Sordan Trudan 2 Trudan 4 Piper Greenleaf Sweet 372 Starr* C. V. % L. S. D. (.05) L. S. D. (.01) 1/ Dry matter yields are averages of five replicates. Percentages are averages of three replicates; each replicate percentage having been obtained by dividing the total component for the season by the dry matter yield for the season. This method of calculation gives proper weight to each separate component in separate cuttings for each replicate individually. Died of unknown causes - See discussion on Geographical and Climatological Information.

32 31. Table 25. Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit at Plymouth (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, Departure Month Mean from long Highest Date Lowest Date term mean (13 yr. Ave.) Oct ~ 1. 8* Nov "-: Dec " 2;'\ Jan ~2,, Feb" 43.2 ~2~O Mar" Apr ~J May June 7Ie7 ~2,, July Aug LJ Sept ~Oo Table 26. Precipitation in inches at Plymouth (Coastal Plain), North Carolina, Depar~ure No. of days with Month Total from long Greatest in Date precipitation 0.10 term mean 24 hours inches or over (13 v c. Ave.) Oct. 1~ * Nov "~ Dec..55-2" 59':"c:' Jan Le Feb Mar o Apr ~ May June July Aug Septa also earlier date or dates * based on a twelve-year average

33 32. Table 27. Performance of summer qnnua1 North Carolina, / grasses at Lewiston (Coastal Plain), ~ Gahi II Millet Gahi I Millet SX-12 SP-110 Southern Cross #2 Dry Wt. (tons) Ave. % C. P Total Lb. C. P % C.F % T.D.N Total Lb. T.D.N % E.N.E Forager I Green Graze Chow Maker Neb. Hyb. P-100 Grofast Green1an Thurn erbird Mor Su Haygrazer SX-11 Sweet Sioux Sordan 3083 X 711 Su I Starr Millet Kow Kandy Honey Sweet Trudan II Trudan IV Greenleaf Sudan Trudan III Piper Sudan Trudan I Common Sudan Sweet Stoneville Syn Grazemaster / Dry forage yields are averages of five replicates. Chemical values are averages of two samples representing a composite of replicates one and two, and replicates three, four and five. Each percent is expressed as the total of that component for the season divided by the total dry matter yield

34 33. Table 28. Performance of summer rnnua1 grasses at Salisbury (Piedmont) 7 North Carolina, Dry Wt. Ave. % Total Lb. Total Lb. Entry (tons) C. P. C. P. % C.F. % T.D.N. T.D.N. %E.N.E. P SX Haygrazer SP Connnon Sudan Gahi I Millet Green1an P.A.G Hay Chow X Thunderbird Forager I Hidan Trudan III Magic Vigor Sweet Sioux Chow Maker H-35 X Sordan Green Graze Trudan II Gahi II Millet Piper Sudan Neb. Hybrid Mor SU Kow Kandy Hidan Southern Cross # Greenleaf Sudan Trudan IV A 1038 G Sweet 372 Sudan Starr Millet Su I Trudan I Stoneville Syn Grazemaster / Dry forage yields are averages of five replicates. Chemical values are averages of two samples representing a composite of replicates one and two, and replicates three, four and five. Each percent is expressed as the total of that component for the season divided by the total dry matter yield.

35 Part I - Appendix - Two-year and three-year averages, crude protein 1b./acre and total digestible nutrients 1b./acre.l/ Coastal Plain 1965 & 1966 Ave. 1964, 1965 & 1966 Ave. Crude Entry Protein TDN Crude Protein SX Haygrazer Gahi I Millet Sweet Sioux Gahi II Millet Piedmont 1965 & 1966 Ave. 1964, 1965 & 1966 Ave. Crude Protein TDN Crude Protein Mor Su Southern Cross Greenleaf Su I Grazemaster SX-11 Piper Sordan Hay Chow Kow Kandy P.A.G. 35 Trudan 2 Trudan 4 Starr* Sweet / Averages are based on one location each year. * Starr millet died at one Coastal Plain location in See discussion on Georgraphical and Climatological Information. w +'

36 35. Part II Perennial Cool Season Forages Grasses and Legumes Certain perennial cool season forages: ladino clover, alfalfa, red clover, orchardgrass and fescuegrass, were tested at one location in the Piedmont in One other location of ladino clover (Plymouth, in the Tidewater area) was abandoned after one harvest in Other seedings of perennial forage tests were made in the fall of The following data provide information on the performance of commercial and experimental varieties. It should be emphasized, however, that these tables represent trials at one location for one year only. Therefore, they can at best be only a partial indication of what one might expect over a period of years at a specific location. Experimental Procedure A randomized, complete-block design was used with four replicates. Plots were 5 by 20 ft., and a 2 by 18 ft. strip was taken from the center for yields. Cultural Practices Time and rates of seeding, fertilization and management was done in accordance with standard practices applicable to each of the various cool season forages included in these tests. This being the first harvest year after seeding, no mineral fertilizer was applied. Fertilizer application at the time of seeding included 1000 lb per acre and one ton dolomitic limestone per acre. Agricultural borax was applied to the alfalfa at the rate of 15 lb./acre. Nitrogen (ammonium nitrate, ) was applied to the pure grass plots as follows: 100 lb. elemental nitrogen per acre (N/A) on