Category Archives: Tall fescue

Trinexapac-ethyl rate and timing effects on tall fescue seed production

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Here’s a new article from our seed production research and extension team on the rate and timing of trinexapac-ethyl plant growth regulator (PGR) and its effects on seed yield and yield components in tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Shreb.) Dumort.) seed crops.  The field trials were conducted in the Willamette Valley over a 6-year period at Hyslop Farm.

This article will appear in an upcoming issue of Field Crops Research and is a part of our series on PGR tools for use in grass and legume seed production.  The product is marketed around the world as Palisade, Moddus, and several generic products for lodging control in grass seed crops and legume seed crops.

Key findings of the article:

 

  • Trinexapac-ethyl reduced stem length and controlled lodging in tall fescue across six diverse lodging environments.
  • Trinexapac-ethyl consistently increased seed yield in tall fescue, but rate of application had no effect on yield.
  • Timing of trinexapac-ethyl applications had no effect on seed yield.
  • Seed yield increases resulting from trinexapac-ethyl were attributable to greater seed number and harvest index.

 

The article can be found at the link below:

Chastain, T.G., W.C. Young III, C.J. Garbacik, and T.B. Silberstein. 2015. Trinexapac-ethyl rate and application timing effects on seed yield and yield components in tall fescue. Field Crops Research 173:8-13.

 

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New OSU Tall Fescue Seed Crop Nutrient Management Guide

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A new nutrient management guide for tall fescue seed crops has been published by OSU’s seed production research and extension team.  The 42-page publication (EM 9099) is a product of many years of  field work in tall fescue seed crops by the members of the research and extension team.

Tall fescue cover

The nutrient management guide covers the impacts of application of nutrients on seed yield, seed yield components, crop growth and development, plant growth regulator use, pests, and others.  Extensive use of tables, figures, and appendices supplement this comprehensive guide to tall fescue seed crop nutrient management.

The publication can be accessed at the link below:

Tall Fescue Grown for Seed: A Nutrient Management Guide for Western Oregon, EM 9099

Is flailing after baling required for good seed yields in grass seed crops?

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Thomas G. Chastain

Our work on grass seed crop residue management suggests that the answer to this question depends on the grass crop species.  On-farm trials over 60 site-years and in 6 seed crops species across Oregon were used to compare baling straw with and without flailing of the crop stubble.  In several of our grass seed crops including perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, orchardgrass and Chewings fescue, the differences in seed yield for baling and post-bale flail chopping of a field were negligible and were not statistically significant.  Thus, there was no requirement for flailing of these crops after baling of the straw in order to harvest good seed yields.

Stack of straw bales in grass seed field (T.G. Chastain photo)
Stack of straw bales in grass seed field (T.G. Chastain photo)

Continue reading →

Seed moisture content: a guide to harvest timing in grass seed crops

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Thomas G. Chastain

Grass seed harvest has begun here in the Willamette Valley.  In order to maximize harvest efficiency and seed yield, using the appropriate timing for harvest is essential.  Seed moisture content has been found to be the most reliable indicator of seed maturity and harvest timing in grass seed crops.

Since pollination and seed maturation are not uniform processes in grass seed crops, a range of seed maturity can be found in a single field.  Harvesting within the correct range of seed moisture contents will maximize seed yield and minimize losses of seed during harvest. Seed moisture content is also an important factor in the storage of harvested seed.  High seed moisture content reduces longevity of seed in storage and reduces seed quality. Continue reading →

Spring irrigation in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seed crops

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Thomas G. Chastain

Research conducted at Hyslop Farm has shown that spring irrigation in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass can increase seed yield.  The soil at Hyslop Farm is a medium textured soil (Woodburn silt loam) that is typical of many places in the valley where tall fescue and perennial ryegrass seed crops are grown.  This soil is deep and has good water holding capacity.

Tall fescue seed yield responses to spring irrigation varied among the cultivars tested.  Increased number of seed in tall fescue was most responsible for the seed yield improvement observed with spring irrigation.   Strategic timing of spring irrigation to support seed filling was more important for increasing seed yield than season-long irrigation.  Spring irrigation increased seed yield up to 39%.  First years stands of stands of tall fescue averaged 28% increase in seed yield with spring irrigation while second year stands averaged 11% increased yield. Continue reading →

Strobilurin-containing fungicides and seed yield in tall fescue

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A new article from our research and extension team on strobilurin-containing fungicide effects in tall fescue seed crops has just been published online in the journal Crop Management, a joint product of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America.  This work was led by Nicole Anderson, an OSU Field Crops Agent.  The trials were conducted in grower fields from 2010 to 2012.

Stem rust in tall fescue (T.G. Chastain photo)
Stem rust in tall fescue (T.G. Chastain photo)

The study reports several important findings including:

  • Strobilurin-containing fungicides increased tall fescue seed yield by 17% across on-farm sites and years.
  • Tall fescue seed yield was increased even with low incidence and severity of stem rust.
  • Seed yield increases were attributable to a combination of increased seed number and seed weight.
  • Cleanout was reduced by up to 18% with the fungicide treatment.

Click on the citation below to go to the article:

Anderson, N.P., T.G. Chastain, and C.J. Garbacik.  2014.  Effect of a strobilurin containing fungicide applied at two timings on seed yield in tall fescue.  Crop Management 13: Published online April 14, 2014, doi:10.2134/CM-2013-0011-RS.