Different mowing frequencies affect nutritive value and recovery potential of forage bermudagrass

Abstract

Mowing is one of the most effective methods of pasture management, and frequency plays a critical role in management strategies. Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.) is a highly valuable forage grass due to its exceptionally high mowing recovery rate and its high potential to be used as a forage crop. In China, bermudagrass is increasingly becoming a crucial forage crop because of the growing demand from the livestock industry. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of mowing frequencies on forage bermudagrass (‘Wrangler’) yields and nutritive value. Four treatments with different mowing frequencies (2, 4, 6 and 12 weeks) were evaluated. Harvested grasses were assessed for yield and nutritive value. The shoot dry weight, crude fibre and N content did not exhibit any difference at various mowing frequencies. The highest content of crude protein was attained at the 2-weeks mowing frequency, although the 4-weeks mowing frequency resulted in a relatively higher shoot fresh weight, crude fat content, water content, P concentration and plant height. A persistently high upregulation of NRT1, PHT1, PHT2, AOC, AOS, MYC2 and NCED1 genes were observed at 4-weeks frequency. Yield was highest at 4- and 6-weeks mowing frequencies. Consequently, the 4-weeks frequency was considered to be the optimal mowing frequency in view of the forage quality and regrowth capacity.