Seasonal dry matter yield in three forage species

Abstract

Objective: To assess the seasonal dry matter yield of three forage species white clover (Trifolium repens L.), sheepgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) under the specific edaphoclimatic conditions of southeastern Coahuila, Mexico. Design/Methodology/Approach: Dry matter yield (DMY), morphological components, leaf-to-stem ratio (L:S), and plant height (PH) were evaluated using a completely randomized block design with three replications. The factors analyzed included season, species, and their interaction. Mean comparisons were performed using Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). Results: The highest average DMY was observed in spring, reaching 4,813 kg DM ha⁻¹ (p < 0.05). Leaves were the predominant contributor to total yield, averaging 2,848 kg DM ha⁻¹ and accounting for 59% of the biomass. The lowest L:S ratio occurred in summer (17), while sheepgrass exhibited the highest species-specific L:S ratio at 47 (p < 0.05). The greatest plant heights during summer were recorded in perennial ryegrass and sheepgrass, measuring 54 cm and 21 cm, respectively. Study Limitations/Implications: This study was conducted in northeastern Coahuila, Mexico, under drip irrigation. As such, results may vary under different climatic conditions and irrigation systems, warranting further investigation. Findings/Conclusions: The optimal performance of all three forage species was achieved during spring, with no single cultivar outperforming the others. Notably, the leaf component made the greatest contribution to total yield across all species.