“Prescribed burning of endophyte-infected tall fescue plots: Effects on forage production, ergot-like alkaloid concentrations, and botanical composition”
This article was published online Dec. 9, 2022, in the journal Applied Animal Science. Access the article via the permanent web address (DOI) (https://doi.org/10.15232/aas.2022-02324)
[Editor's note - For those who don't know the context of this research, here is an overview of Kentucky 31 tall fescue and the problems that alkaloids cause in livestock - https://u.osu.edu/beef/2018/02/28/tall-fescue-and-its-endophyte-implications-for-your-farm/]
Abstract
Objective
Our objective was to evaluate the effects of early-spring prescribed fire on forage production and botanical composition in Kentucky 31 tall fescue plots.
Materials and Methods
Treatments were applied in a completely randomized design with 10 plots per treatment. Treatments were (1) no burn (CON), (2) March mowed (MWD), (3) March burn (EBRN, early burn), and (4) April burn (LBRN, late burn). Beginning in May and repeated monthly until October, tall fescue tillers were hand clipped at ground level while walking an “X” pattern. In May of each year, tall fescue seedheads were counted in twelve 0.09-m2 quadrats per plot, and species frequencies were recorded. Species frequency was collected again in October.
Results and Discussion
Tall fescue seedheads were reduced by 72% (P < 0.01) for LBRN. Spring forage accumulation was reduced (P < 0.01) by MWD, EBRN, and LBRN treatments, with EBRN and LBRN having a greater reduction (P = 0.03) than MWD. Nonfescue forage species frequency increased (P ≤ 0.01) in October for LBRN. Ergovaline concentration did not differ (P = 0.57) among treatments but differed (P = 0.01) by month, with a substantial increase in June compared with other months.
Implications and Applications
Early-spring prescribed fire reduced tall fescue seedhead production; however, fire also reduced forage production. Removal of a portion of seedheads from tall fescue plots did not affect ergovaline concentration in plant samples. Thus, future research should evaluate ergot-like alkaloid concentrations in various plant parts from tall fescue subjected to seedhead control measures.
Keywords: beef cattle; ergot-like alkaloids; forages; tall fescue; invasive species; prescribed fire
Citation
Bailey, Eric A., Kevin R. Meng, Derek W. Brake, Xiangwei Du, and Joshua M. Zeltwanger. "Prescribed burning of endophyte-infected tall fescue plots: Effects on forage production, ergot-like alkaloid concentrations, and botanical composition." Applied Animal Science 38, no. 6 (2022): 551-559.