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Title: FORAGE YIELDS AND QUALITY FROM A ROTATIONALLY-GRAZED, DRAINAGE WATER REUSE SYSTEM

Author
item KAFFKA, STEPHEN - UC DAVIS, CA
item OSTER, JAMES - UC RIVERSIDE, CA
item ROBERTS, B - UCCE, KINGS COUNTY, CA
item Corwin, Dennis

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2004
Publication Date: 10/31/2004
Citation: Kaffka, S.R., Oster, J.D., Roberts, B.R., Corwin, D.L. 2004. Forage yields and quality from a rotationally-grazed, drainage water reuse system. Soil Science Society of America. Paper No. 6371.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Using saline drainage and other waste waters for the production of salt-tolerant forages and livestock may provide an economic means to manage saline water in arid landscapes. Bermuda grass (Cyanodon dactylon, (L), Pers.) was established in 2000 on a salt-affected, tile-drained site in California's San Joaquin Valley. Forage biomass and quality were measured at sites selected to reflect soil variation. Pastures were grazed rotationally throughout the 2001-2004 season by beef cattle. Bermuda grass grew well at moderate salinity levels but failed initially to produce where salinity exceeded 22 dS m-l. Soil quality in the upper 60 cm of the soil profile has improved over the five year period, while most of the water applied has been transpired by crops, reducing drainage water management problems. From 2000 to 2003, on a hay basis, forage CP contents averaged 10.7%, (range: 4.2 to 22.1 %), ADF: 29.4 % (range: 20.7 to 42.3), B: 245.4 mg kg-l DW (range: 77 to 1004), Mo: 1.44 mg kg-l DW (range: 0.3 to 5.3), Cu:Mo ratios averaged 5.2. CP and trace element content were greater in the upper portion of the canopy most grazed by cattle. Pasture productivity, livestock intake, and cattle performance are discussed.