Location: Plant Science Research
Title: Soil health impacts of no till pasture renovation with annual foragesAuthor
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Submitted to: Popular Publication
Publication Type: Popular Publication Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2023 Publication Date: 6/1/2023 Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J. 2023. Soil health impacts of no till pasture renovation with annual forages. Carolina Cattle Connection. 37(6):19. Interpretive Summary: Typical tall fescue pastures contain a fungus growing within the plant. This fungus provides benefits to the plant to survive harsh summer conditions, but it also produces toxic compounds affecting herbivore performance and production. The fungus is called an endophyte, because it lives mutualistically in (endo) the plant (phyte). Renovating tall fescue pastures to allow planting of friendly endophyte-infected tall fescue is promoted. Annual forages can reduce the economic cost of renovation by providing high-quality forage during this transition. How annual forages affect soil health during pasture transition has not been well described. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described the soil health implications from a 3-year transition period from field trials on three farms in North Carolina. Soil health was not altered much at all during the transition, as previous perennial pasture had already led to health soil conditions. This popular press report summarizes key results from a detailed scientific investigation reported elsewhere. Results can be used by farmers to improve pasture and livestock production during pasture renovations. Technical Abstract: Typical tall fescue pastures contain a fungus growing within the plant. This fungus provides benefits to the plant to survive harsh summer conditions, but it also produces toxic compounds affecting herbivore performance and production. The fungus is called an endophyte, because it lives mutualistically in (endo) the plant (phyte). Renovating tall fescue pastures to allow planting of friendly endophyte-infected tall fescue is promoted. Annual forages can reduce the economic cost of renovation by providing high-quality forage during this transition. How annual forages affect soil health during pasture transition has not been well described. An ARS scientist in Raleigh North Carolina described the soil health implications from a 3-year transition period from field trials on three farms in North Carolina. Soil health was not altered much at all during the transition, as previous perennial pasture had already led to health soil conditions. This popular press report summarizes key results from a detailed scientific investigation reported elsewhere. Results can be used by farmers to improve pasture and livestock production during pasture renovations. |
