Progress 09/04/02 to 09/03/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our research effort has two distinct approaches to addressing the needs of the forage based industry in south Texas. Our long term effort has been with forage legumes, and our legume work has become widely accepted because with legumes we can sustainability replace the need for nitrogen fertilizer in pasture based-systems. Legumes provide quality feed needed for optimum animal performance of livestock and wildlife. We continue to evaluate new legumes for potential release to fit critical niches in pasture based forage systems. We are currently evaluating a spineless burr medic which has excellent winter growth, but poor winter hardiness. We are targeting this legume for use in south Texas, Mexico and California as well as other locations in the world that have similar climatic conditions. We are also evaluating a spotted burr medic for release in the acid soils of the South East. A relatively new area of demand for forages is for those wanting to plant natives. Whereas we have worked some with native forages in the past, our work on natives has taken on an increased priority in the last few year. Our area of emphasis is related to seed production and seed quality on native grasses. We are also working on some native legumes and forbs that will meet specific niches in south Texas. The legume we have evaluated in the past, but did not progress to a release was deer pea vetch. This legume has a specific rhizobia requirement, and we have returned to the original collection site to re-isolate the appropriate strain to allow us to expand the evaluation of this legume. This legume is not readily eaten by large herbivores, but the seed is an excellent food source for game birds. Being a legume, it also will contribute to the nitrogen content of native ecosystems. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Principle Investigator has retired. Work has been continued by the Research Associate, particularly in regards to native species. Have continued to work on seed increases and establishment studies, as establishment is the number one problem with the South Texas native species. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
We have released 3 forage legumes between 1998 and 2005. The value of these well adapted legumes comes in two forms: First is in saved nitrogen fertilizer costs: Second in the production of high quality feed. The annual impact of these legumes in terms of nitrogen fertilizer replacement value exceeds $ 1 million. Since these are permanent plantings and they have been in for up to 10 years, the cumulative impact exceeds $5 million for just the saved N-fertilizer cost. The impact on saved protein supplement fed to wildlife and livestock can also be calculated assuming that these legumes are now planted on nearly 250,000 acres and the yields are at least 2,000 lbs. of forage per acre per year and the protein content will exceed 20%. If utilized properly, this could translate into annual savings in high protein feed supplements to wildlife and livestock managers of Texas of nearly $25 million. In 2006 we officially participated in the release 10 native grasses specifically targeted for use in south Texas. At this point in time, there is limited commercial seed available but we can speculate on their potential impact. One of the proposed uses of these native grasses is for highway right of ways. Some of the natives are low growing and will reduce or eliminate the need to mow the roadsides. In Texas, the highway department is the single largest landowner. This could be a huge savings to the highway department and thus the tax payers. Have made progress in the seed increases of native species. Many have been released and are now in the hands of commercial seed companies. Establishment of natives have been greatly enhanced by advances we have made in herbicides and the safening of herbicides with carbon banding.
Publications
- Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2005. Desmanthus: A native legume for diversity and revegetation in South Texas. Range Science Society (Invited)
- Ramirez de Leon, R., B.L. Burson, W.R. Ocumpaugh, R.W. Jessup, W.L. Rooney, and C.R. Tischler. 2005. Pollen germination and tube growth in switchgrass. Southern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. (CD only) Paper No. 19. June 19-21, 2005. San Antonio, TX.
- Burson, B.L., Tischler, C.R. and Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2009. Breeding for reduced post-harvest seed dormancy in switchgrass: Registration of TEM-LoDorm switchgrass germplasm. J. Plant Reg. 3:99-103.
- Burson, B.L., Tischler, C.R. and Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2009. Breeding for reduced post-harvest seed dormancy in switchgrass. Southern Section of American Society of Agronomy (CD only)
- Smith, F.S., Ocumpaugh, W.R., Maywald, P.D., and Mutz, J. 2009. Effects of seeding rate and season of seeding on establishment of 10 native grasses in the Rio Grande Plain of Texas. (Abstract) ?????
- Herrera-C. ,F., Ocumpaugh, W.R., Ortega-S., J.A., Lloyd-Reilley, J., Rasmussen, G.A. and Maher, S. 2008. Environmental influences on seed quality of windmillgrass ecotypes in south Texas. Agron. J. ?????
- Cassida, K.A., J.P. Muir, M.A. Hussey, J.C. Read, B.C. Venuto, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2005. Biomass yield and stand characteristics of switchgrass in the south central U.S. environments. Crop Sci. 45:673-681.
- Cassida, K.A., J.P. Muir, M.A. Hussey, J.C. Read, B.C. Venuto, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2005. Biofuel component concentrations and yields of switchgrass in south central U.S. environments. Crop Sci. 45: 682-692.
- Kiniry, J.R., K.A. Cassida, M.A. Hussey, J.P. Muir, W.R. Ocumpaugh, J.C. Read, R.L. Reed, M.A. Sanderson, B.C. Venuto, and J.R. Williams. 2005. Switchgrass simulation by the ALMANAC model at diverse sites in the southern U.S. Biomass and Bioenergy. 29: 419-425.
- Muir, J.P., W.R. Ocumpaugh, and T.J. Butler. 2005. Trade-offs in forage and seed parameters of annual Medicago and Trifolium species in north-central Texas as affected by harvest intensity. Agron. J. 97: 118-124.
- Read, J.C., J.A. Reinert, G.W. Evers, W.R. Ocumpaugh, M.A. Sanderson, and A.A. Hopkins. 2005. Registration of `Tejas 1' Texas Bluegrass. Crop Sci. 45:2124-2125.
- Muir, J.P., T.J. Butler, W.R. Ocumpaugh, and M. Haulk. 2005. The long road to developing native herbaceous legume ecotypes. Proc. International Grasslands Congress. Pastoral systems in marginal environments. Glasgow, Scotland. XX:107.
- Garza Cedillo, Ruben Dario. 2005. Evaluacion de materiales alternativos al buffel comun en la provincia ecologica Tamaulipeca. Ph.D. Dissertation. Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas.
- Rameriz, Hector 2005. Heritability Estimates for Seedling Vigor and Pollen fertility in Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Ph.D. Dissertation. Texas A&M University, Soil and Crop Science Department.
- Butler, Twain, James P. Muir, and William Ocumpaugh. 2005. Rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata) evaluation in north Texas. (CD only) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
- Herrera-Cedano, F., W. Ocumpaugh, A. Ortega, J. Lloyd-Reilley, and S. Maher. 2005. Comparison of seed germination and dormancy in windmill grass ecotypes. Range Science Society.
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Progress 01/01/07 to 12/31/07
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Our research effort has two distinct approaches to addressing the needs of the forage based industry in south Texas. Our long term effort has been with forage legumes, and our legume work has become more widely accepted because with legumes we can economically and sustainability replace the need for nitrogen fertilizer in pasture based-systems. Quality feed is critical for optimum animal performance. Legumes provide that quality feed to livestock and wildlife. We continue to try to add new legumes to our list of releases to fit critical niches in pasture based forage systems. We are currently working on an additional potential release of a burr medic. This burr medic has spineless pod traits, excellent winter growth, but poor winter hardiness. We are targeting this legume for use in south Texas, Mexico and California as well as other locations in the world that have similar climatic conditions. A relatively new area of demand for forages is for those wanting to plant
natives. Whereas we have worked some with native forages in the past, our work on natives has taken on an increased priority in the last few year. Our area of emphasis is related to seed production and seed quality on native grasses. We are also working on some native legumes and forbs that will meet specific niches in south Texas. The legume we have evaluated in the past, but did not progress to a release state has been deer pea vetch. This legume has a specific rhizobia requirement, and we have returned to the original collection site to re-isolate the appropriate strain to allow us to expand the evaluation of this legume. This legume is not readily eaten by large herbivores, but the seed is an excellent food source for game birds. Being a legume, it also will contribute to the nitrogen content of native ecosystems.
PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Principle Investigator has retired.
Impacts
We have released 3 forage legumes between 1998 and 2005. The value of these well adapted legumes comes in two forms: First is in saved nitrogen fertilizer costs: Second in the production of high quality feed. The annual impact of these legumes in terms of nitrogen fertilizer replacement value exceeds $ 1 million. Since these are permanent plantings and they have been in for up to 10 years, the cumulative impact exceeds $5 million for just the saved N-fertilizer cost. The impact on saved protein supplement fed to wildlife and livestock can also be calculated assuming that these legumes are now planted on nearly 250,000 acres and the yields are at least 2,000 lbs. of forage per acre per year and the protein content will exceed 20%. If utilized properly, this could translate into annual savings in high protein feed supplements to wildlife and livestock managers of Texas of nearly $25 million. In 2006 we officially participated in the release 10 native grasses specifically
targeted for use in south Texas. At this point in time, there is limited commercial seed available but we can speculate on their potential impact. One of the proposed uses of these native grasses is for highway right of ways. Some of the natives are low growing and will reduce or eliminate the need to mow the roadsides. . In the state of Texas, the highway department is the single largest landowner. This could be a huge savings to the highway department and thus the tax payers.
Publications
- Grichar, W.J. and Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2007. Bundleflower (Desmanthus bicornutus) response to postemergence herbicides. Weed Technology 21:1089-1092.
- Herrera-C. ,F., Ocumpaugh, W.R., Ortega-S., J.A., Lloyd-Reilley, J., Rasmussen, G.A. and Maher, S. 2007. Seed quality of windmillgrass ecotypes in two locations of south Texas. Texas J. Agric. and Nat. Res. (accepted).
- Lopez-Garcia, J.A., Ocumpaugh, W.R., Ortega-Santos, J.A., and Lloyd-Reilley, J. 2007. Plains bristlegrass seed yield and quality as a response to nitrogen fertilization in Texas. (CD only) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
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Progress 01/01/06 to 12/31/06
Outputs
Our research effort has two distinct approaches to addressing the needs of the forage based industry in south Texas. Our long term effort has been with forage legumes, and our legume work has become more widely accepted because with legumes we can economically and sustainability replace the need for nitrogen fertilizer in pasture based-systems. Quality feed is critical for optimum animal performance. Legumes provide that quality feed to livestock and wildlife. We continue to try to add new legumes to our list of releases to fit other critical niches in pasture based forage systems. We are currently working on a spotted burr medic for use in the acid soils of the southern USA. If we release this legume it will be the first for the species released in the world. Our data suggests it will be adapted from Texas to the Atlantic. The current bottleneck is seed needed for widespread evaluation, but we are working on that problem. We are also working on two additional
potential releases of burr medic. One of these has more cold tolerance than any currently available burr medics, but does not seem to have more cold tolerance than our little burr medic release, so it may never be released. However, we have another burr medic that has spineless pod traits, excellent winter growth, but poor winter hardiness. We are targeting this legume for use in south Texas, Mexico and California as well as other locations in the world that have similar climatic conditions. A relatively new area of demand for forages is for those wanting to plant natives. Whereas we have worked some with native forages in the past, our work on natives has taken on an increased priority in the last few year. Our area of emphasis is related to seed production and seed quality on native grasses.
Impacts
We have released 3 forage legumes between 1998 and 2005. The value of these well adapted legumes comes in two forms: First is in saved nitrogen fertilizer costs: Second in the production of high quality feed. The annual impact of these legumes in terms of nitrogen fertilizer replacement value is about $ 1 million. Since these are permanent pasture/wildlife plantings and they have been in for 1 to 9 years, the cumulative impact could exceed $5 million for just the saved N-fertilizer cost. The impact on saved protein supplement fed to wildlife and livestock can also be calculated assuming that these legumes are now planted on nearly 250,000 acres and the yields are at least 2,000 lbs. of forage per acre per year and the protein content will exceed 20%. If utilized properly, this could translate into annual savings in high protein feed supplements to wildlife and livestock managers of Texas of nearly $25 million. In 2006 we officially participated in the release 10
native grasses specifically targeted for use in south Texas. At this point in time, there is no commercial seed available but we can speculate of their potential impact. One of the proposed uses of these native grasses is for highway right of ways. Some of the natives are low growing and will reduce or eliminate the need to mow the roadsides. This could be a huge savings to the highway department and thus the tax payers.
Publications
- Butler, T.J., W.R. Ocumpaugh, M.A. Sanderson, R.L. Reed, and J.P. Muir. 2006. Evaluation of rhizoma peanut genotypes for adaptation in Texas. Agron. J. 98:1589-1593.
- Herrera-C. ,F., W. R. Ocumpaugh, J.A. Ortega S., J. Lloyd-Reilley, G. A. Rasmussen, and S. Maher. 2006. Improving germination in windmillgrass ecotypes. Rangeland Ecol. Manage. 59:660-663.
- Muir, J.P., W. R. Ocumpaugh, and T. J. Butler. May 2006. Winter Harvests for Annual Forage Medics in the Southern Great Plains. Forage and Grazinglands. http://www.plantmanagementnetwork.org/fg/element/sum2.asp?id=5243
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., D.N. Ueckert, J.P. Muir, T.J. Butler, and R.L. Reed. 2006. Registration of >Devine= little burr medic. Crop Science. (accepted)
- Filiberto Herrera-Cedano. 2006. Selection of hooded and shortspike windmillgrasses for superior seed quality. Ph.D. Dissertation. Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Range and Wildlife Management.
- Evers, G. W., M. J. Parsons, and W. R. Ocumpaugh. 2006. Annual medic variety test at Overton 2004-2005. Overton Field Day report. TAES-Overton.
- Lopez-Garcia, J.A., W.R. Ocumpaugh, A. Ortega-Santos, J.P. Muir, and J. Lloyd-Reilley. 2006. Effects of nitrogen and humic acids on the seed production potential of bristlegrass and windmillgrass in Texas. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council. Vol 15 (CD only) March 11-14, 2006 San Antonio, Texas.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2006. >Devine= little burr medic: A new legume for Texas. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council. Vol 15 (CD only) March 11-14, 2006 San Antonio, Texas.
- Smith, G.R., J. Muir, W.R. Ocumpaugh, J. Read, and F.M. Rouquette, Jr. 2006. New lablab cultivars for Texas. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council. Vol 15 (CD only) March 11-14, 2006 San Antonio, Texas.
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Progress 01/01/05 to 12/31/05
Outputs
The livestock industry as well as chemical based farming is not as profitable as it once was due to increased costs and reduced returns. Quality feed is critical for optimum animal performance. Legumes provide that quality feed to livestock and wildlife. Legumes play an important role in orgainc farming. Legumes will contribute to sustainable production systems for the region. A relatively new area of demand for forages is for those wanting to plant natives. Whereas we have worked some with native forages in the past, our work on natives has taken on an increased priority in the last year. Our area of emphasis is related to seed quality and seed production on native grasses.
Impacts
We have released Armadillo burr medic, Devine little burr medic and BeeWild bundleflower between 1998 and 2005. Because these legumes are well adapted and naturally reseed we can calculate the accumulated impact of these legumes in terms of nitrogen fertilizer replacement value. Based on seed sales records the current annual savings to livestock and wildlife producer is about $ 1 million. Since these are permanent pasture/wildlife plantings and they have been in for 1 to 8 years, the cumulative impact could exceed $4 million for just the saved N-fertilizer cost. The impact on saved protein supplement fed to wildlife and livestock can also be calculated assuming that these legumes are now planted on nearly 250,000 acres and the yields are at least 2,000 lbs. of forage per acre per year and the protein content will exceed 20%. If utilized properly, this could translate into annual savings in high protein feed supplements to wildlife and livestock managers of Texas of
nearly $25 million. Since the natives we are working on have not been released, we can only speculate of their potential impact, however, one of the proposed uses is for highway right of ways. Some of the natives we are about to release are low growing and may reduce or eliminate the need to mow the roadsides. This could be a huge savings to the highway department.
Publications
- Cassida, K.A., J.P. Muir, M.A. Hussey, J.C. Read, B.C. Venuto, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2005. Biomass yield and stand characteristics of switchgrass in the south central U.S. environments. Crop Sci. 45:673-681.
- Cassida, K.A., J.P. Muir, M.A. Hussey, J.C. Read, B.C. Venuto, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2005. Biofuel component concentrations and yields of switchgrass in south central U.S. environments. Crop Sci. 45: 682-692.
- Kiniry, J.R., K.A. Cassida, M.A. Hussey, J.P. Muir, W.R. Ocumpaugh, J.C. Read, R.L. Reed, M.A. Sanderson, B.C. Venuto, and J.R. Williams. 2005. Switchgrass simulation by the ALMANAC model at diverse sites in the southern U.S. Biomass and Bioenergy. 29: 419-425.
- Muir, J.P., W.R. Ocumpaugh, and T.J. Butler. 2005. Trade-offs in forage and seed parameters of annual Medicago and Trifolium species in north-central Texas as affected by harvest intensity. Agron. J. 97: 118-124.
- Read, J.C., J.A. Reinert, G.W. Evers, W.R. Ocumpaugh, M.A. Sanderson, and A.A. Hopkins. 2005. Registration of `Tejas 1' Texas Bluegrass. Crop Sci. 45:2124-2125.
- Muir, J.P., T.J. Butler, W.R. Ocumpaugh, and M. Haulk. 2005. The long road to developing native herbaceous legume ecotypes. Proc. International Grasslands Congress. Pastoral systems in marginal environments. Glasgow, Scotland. XX:107.
- Garza Cedillo, Ruben Dario. 2005. Evaluacion de materiales alternativos al buffel comun en la provincia ecologica Tamaulipeca. Ph.D. Dissertation. Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas.
- Rameriz, Hector 2005. Heritability Estimates for Seedling Vigor and Pollen fertility in Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.). Ph.D. Dissertation. Texas A&M University, Soil and Crop Science Department.
- Butler, Twain, James P. Muir, and William Ocumpaugh. 2005. Rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata) evaluation in north Texas. (CD only) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
- Herrera-Cedano, F., W. Ocumpaugh, A. Ortega, J. Lloyd-Reilley, and S. Maher. 2005. Comparison of seed germination and dormancy in windmill grass ecotypes. Range Science Society.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2005. Desmanthus: A native legume for diversity and revegetation in South Texas. Range Science Society (Invited)
- Ramirez de Leon, R., B.L. Burson, W.R. Ocumpaugh, R.W. Jessup, W.L. Rooney, and C.R. Tischler. 2005. Pollen germination and tube growth in switchgrass. Southern Branch of the American Society of Agronomy Abstracts. (CD only) Paper No. 19. June 19-21, 2005. San Antonio, TX.
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Progress 01/01/04 to 12/31/04
Outputs
The project continues to pursue legumes for use in the semi-arid area of South Texas, and understand the plant and environmental constraints to seedling establishment of both grasses and legumes. The BeeWild bundleflowers (Desmanthus bicornutus) we released from this project in 2003 is drought tolerant in almost any stage of growth. BeeWild is well adapted to most of Central and South Texas. Actually BeeWild is a mechanical mixture of 4 cultivars released as BeeTAM-06, BeeTAM-08, BeeTAM-37 and BeeTAM-57 bundleflower. The species is considered a native to the USA and Mexico, so it is being marketed as a native for use in Texas and Mexico. The protein on the bundleflowers is in the 20% range, and the fiber levels are lower than many other legumes. This legume is a summer growing perennial shrub-like plant that typically freezes to the ground each winter. The plant is excellent habitat for quail and other wildlife, the forage has enough tannin in it to prevent
overgrazing, but deer utilize most of the leaf and small stems. In the fall of 2004, we submitted the documentation to release a little burr medic (Medicago minima) with a proposed cultivar name of Devine. Devine originates from a naturalized collection from a pasture in the Hondo creek bottom near Devine, TX. Devine is best adapted to the region from just south of San Antonio to near I-20 on the north. I has performed best in pastures both west and east of Interstate 35. We continue to evaluate additional annual medics for specific areas in Texas and the Southeast. We are currently evaluating black medic (M. lupulina), another burr medic and spotted burr medic (M. arabica) to fit niche areas where Armadillo burr medic is not well adapted. The other burr medic is more winter hardy than Armadillo. These medics have high forage quality, high hard seed contents, and naturally regenerate stands each year in the areas where they are well adapted. A native collection of deer pea vetch is
showing promise for use in South Texas. We have increased our efforts to evaluate native grasses for South Texas. So in addition to our work on seedling characteristics of switchgrass, we are now evaluating South Texas native collections of bristlegrass, brownseed paspalum and hooded windmillgrass. We are continuing to select switchgrass seedlings for increased vigor (seedling size at 2-weeks post emergence). Our data suggests seedling vigor in switchgrass is heritable (H2 = 0.60).
Impacts
With the introduction of legumes into grass based pastures, not only will the pastures be of higher quaility due to the legume component, but the grasses will become more productive, and provied enhance ground cover to reduce errosion and increase the total carrying capacity of the pasture systems. We expect the legumes will also reduce the weed component because of a more competitive grass sward. Based on seed sales records and an assumed seeding rate of 7 lbs per acre, there are about 22,000 acres planted to Armadillo burr medic. Armadillo will fix between 50 and 100 lbs. of nitrogen per acre per year. The impact for the current growing season would be 1 to 2 million pounds of fixed nitrogen. With current nitrogen cost at $0.35 per pound, this calculates to $350,000 and $700,000 in save nitrogen fertilizer costs for Texans. If you go through similar calculations on BeeWild there is another $140,000 to $280,000 in saved nitrogen costs in the current year. Since these
are permanent pasture/wildlife plantings and they have been in for 1 to 7 years, the cumulative impact could exceed $3 million for just the saved N-fertilizer cost. The impact on saved protein supplement fed to wildlife and livestock can also be calculated assuming that the two legumes are now planted on nearly 200,000 acres and the yields are at least 2,000 lbs. of forage per acre per year and the protein content will exceed 20%. If utilized properly, this could translate into annual savings in high protein feed supplements to wildlife and livestock managers of Texas of nearly $25 million.
Publications
- Ueckert, D. N., J. L. Petersen, and W. R. Ocumpaugh. 2003. Production and natural regeneration of annual medics in West-Central Texas. Texas J. of Agric. & Nat. Res.
- Muir, J.P., W.R. Ocumpaugh and T.J. Butler. 2004. Forage and Seed Production of Annual Medicago and Trifolium species in North-central Texas as Affected by Harvest Height. Agron. J. (in press).
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., W.J. Grichar, Jr., M.A. Hussey, A.H. Abrameit, M.K. Owens, R.L. Reed, J.P. Muir, D. Bade, and J.L. Reilley. 2004. Registration of BeeTAM-06 bundleflower. Crop Sci. 44:1860-61.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., W.J. Grichar, Jr., M.A. Hussey, A.H. Abrameit, M.K. Owens, R.L. Reed, J.P. Muir, D. Bade, and J.L. Reilley. 2004. Registration of BeeTAM-08 bundleflower. Crop Sci. 44:1861-62.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., W.J. Grichar, Jr., M.A. Hussey, A.H. Abrameit, M.K. Owens, R.L. Reed, J.P. Muir, D. Bade, and J.L. Reilley. 2004. Registration of BeeTAM-37 bundleflower. Crop Sci. 44:1862-63.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., W.J. Grichar, Jr., M.A. Hussey, A.H. Abrameit, M.K. Owens, R.L. Reed, J.P. Muir, D. Bade, and J.L. Reilley. 2004. Registration of BeeTAM-57 bundleflower. Crop Sci. 44:1863-64.
- Ocumpaugh, W. R., M. A, Hussey W.J. Grichar, Jr., J.C. Read, D.H. Bade, W.E. Pinchak, G.R. Smith, R.A. Lane, W.D. Pitman, J.P. Muir, and S.W. Coleman. 2004. Registration of Armadillo burr medic. Crop Sci. 44:1023-1024
- Cassida, K.A., J.P. Muir, M.A. Hussey, J.C. Read, B.C. Venuto, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2005. Dry matter yield and stand characteristics of switchgrass genotypes across environments in the south central U.S.A. Crop Sci. (in press).
- Cassida, K.A., J.P. Muir, M.A. Hussey, J.C. Read, B.C. Venuto, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2005. Biofuel component concentrations and yields of switchgrass in south-central U.S. environments. Crop Sci. (in press).
- Muir, J.P., W.R. Ocumpaugh and T. J. Butler. 2003. Medics and clovers for the cross timbers. In Forage Research in Texas 2003. CPR-5267
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., D. Kunz, J. Rahmes, D. Martinez, J. Grichar, M. Hussey, J. Reilley, A. Abrameit, K. Owens, R. Reed, J.P. Muir, and D. Bade. 2004. BeeWild bundleflower, a new summer-growing perennial legume for central and south Texas and Mexico. In Forage Research in Texas 2004. CPR-5267
- Tischler, C. R., and W. R. Ocumpaugh. 2004. Kleingrass, Blue Panic, and Vine Mesquite. p. 623-649. In L. Moser, L. Sollenberger, and B. Burson. (ed). Warm-Season (C4) Grasses. Agron. Monogr. 45. ASA, CSSA, and SSSA, Madison, WI.
- Ocumpaugh, Bill. 2004. Something to be wild about: New BeeWild bundleflower shows promise in Texas and may have potential in a broad area of southern latitudes. The Forage Leader / Summer 2004. American Forage and Grassland Council, Georgetown, TX. 9:(2) 5.
- Ramirez-De Leon, H., W.R. Ocumpaugh, B.L. Burson, C.R. Tischler, and W.L. Rooney. 2004. Heritability for Seedling Vigor in Switchgrass. (CD only) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
The project continues to pursue legumes for use in the semi-arid area of South Texas, and understand the plant and environmental constraints to seedling establishment of both grasses and legumes. The bundleflowers that we have been working on for nearly a decade are very drought tolerant in almost any stage of growth. Our new cultivars (Desmanthus bicornutus) are well adapted to most of Central and South Texas as well as Mexico. In 2003, we released the 4 cultivars as BeeTAM-06, BeeTAM-08, BeeTAM-37 and BeeTAM-57 bundleflower. The licensing agreement requires that these 4 cultivars be sold as a mechanical blend under the trademarked name of BeeWild bundleflower. The species is considered a native to the USA and Mexico, so it is being marketed as a native for use in South Texas and Mexico. The protein on the bundleflowers is in the 20% range, and the fiber levels are lower than many other legumes. This legume is a summer growing perennial shrub-like plant that
typically freezes to the ground each winter. Cattle will utilize the leaves and stem up to about the size of a pencil. The plant is excellent habitat for quail and other wildlife, the forage has enough tannin in it to prevent overgrazing, but deer utilize most of the leaf and small stems. Seed yields have been in the range of from 700 to 1500 pounds per acre range, high enough to be considered a grain crop if there was a market for it. We continue to evaluate additional annual medics for specific areas in Texas and the Southeast. We are currently evaluating little burr medic, black medic, another burr medic and spotted burr medics to fit niche areas where Armadillo burr medic is not well adapted. The other burr medic is more winter hardy than Armadillo. We anticpate attempting to release 1or 2 of these medics in 2004. These medics have high forage quality, high hard seed contents, and naturally regenerate stands each year in the areas where they are well adapted. A native collection
of deer pea vetch is showing promise for use in South Texas. We have perfected how to harvest the seed, and plan to release it in 2004. We have increased our efforts to evaluate native grasses for South Texas. So in addition to our work on seedling characteristics of switchgrass, we are now evaluating South Texas native collections of bristlegrass, brownseed paspalum and hooded windmillgrass. We continue to evaluate rhizoma peanuts for use in South Texas. Our selections will establish full stands in less than one growing season if irrigated. In early 2004 we will initiate a study to evaluate the potential to use our selections for ground cover, weed control, and nitrogen fixation in organic horticulture systems.
Impacts
Most of the legumes we are working with fix 50 to 100 lbs of nitrogen per acre per year. With the introduction of legumes into grass based pastures, not only will the pastures be of higher quaility due to the legume component, but the grasses will become more productive, and provied enhance ground cover to reduce errosion and increase the total carrying capacity of the pasture systems. We expect the legumes will also reduce the weed component because of a more competitive grass sward.
Publications
- Muir, J.P., W. R. Ocumpaugh, and J. L. Read. 2003. Spring forage yield and nutritive value of Texas black medic accessions. Agron. J. 95:908-912.
- Zarate, Pedro Fortuna. 2003. Establecimiento y productividad del Desmanthus en praderas de zacate bermuda. Ph.D. dissertation. Universidad Autonoma de Tamaulipas.
- Escamilla, O., P. Zarate, A.J. Saldivar, E. Gutierrez, H. Diaz, J.C. Martinez, F. Briones, and W.R. Ocumpaugh. 2003. Evaluation of three cultivars of bundleflower in association with Tifton 68 bermudagrass. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council 12:327-331. April 26-30, 2003 Lafayette, Louisiana.
- Garza, R.D., P. Zarate, A.J. Saldivar, W.R. Ocumpaugh, and M.A. Hussey. 2003. Evaluation of management systems on bundleflower Desmanthus virgatus (l.) Willd cv. 543. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council 12:323-326. April 26-30, 2003 Lafayette, Louisiana.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., D. Kunz, J. Rahmes, D. Martinez, J. Grichar, M. Hussey, J. Reilley, A. Abrameit, K. Owens, R. Reed, J. Muir, D. Bade. 2003. Desmanthus bicornutus: A new summer-growing perennial shrubby legume for South Texas and Mexico. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council 12:151-155. April 26-30, 2003 Lafayette, Louisiana.
- Zarate, P., R.D. Garza, A.J. Saldivar, W.R. Ocumpaugh, and W.W. Hanna. 2003. Evaluation of eight bermudagrasses in Central Tamaulipas. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council 12:318-322. April 26-30, 2003 Lafayette, Louisiana.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R., L. Zibilske, and W.J. Grichar. 2003. BeeWild bundleflower: A new Forage legume for the semiarid south. (CD only) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
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Progress 01/01/02 to 12/31/02
Outputs
The project continues to pursue legumes for use in the semi-arid area of South Texas, and understand the plant and environmental constraints to seedling establishment of both grasses and legumes. The bundleflowers that we have been working on for nearly a decade are very drought tolerant in almost any stage of growth. Our selections (Desmanthus bicornutus) are well adapted to most of South Texas. We have submitted 4 lines for release under the suggested names of BeeTAM-06, BeeTAM-08, BeeTAM-37 and BeeTAM-57. Our plan it to market them as a blend of two or more of each of these lines. The selections we have submitted for release in Texas are also being evaluated for use in the area west of Townsville in Queensland Australia. The legumes have survived over a decade in the Outback of west of Queensland with uncontrolled grazing by livestock and wildlife. The protein on the bundleflowers is in the 20% range, and the fiber levels are lower than many other legumes. This
legume is a summer growing perennial shrub that typically freezes to the ground each winter. Cattle will utilize the leaves and stem up to about the size of a pencil. The plant is good habitat for wildlife, the forage has enough tannin in it to prevent overgrazing, but deer utilize most of the leaf and small stems. Quail appear to use the plant as habitat. Seed yields have been in the range of from 400 to 800 pounds per acre range. We continue to evaluate additional annual medics for specific areas in Texas and the Southeast. We are currently evaluating little burr medic, and spotted burr medic to fit niche areas where `Armadillo' burr medic is not well adapted. These medics have high forage quality, high hard seed contents, and naturally regenerate stands each year in the areas where they are well adapted. A native collection of deer pea vetch is showing promise for use in South Texas. Our work on seed and seedling characteristics of switchgrass has progressed to the point that we
now have germplasms that have the following traits: low-crown node placement, low seed dormancy, and high seedling mass. We are working toward combining all these traits into one germplasm that should enhance seedling establishment. We continue to evaluate rhizoma peanuts for use in South Texas. Our selections will establish full stands in less than one growing season if irrigated. In early 2003 we will initiate a study to evaluate the potential to use our selections for ground cover, weed control, and nitrogen fixation in organic horticulture systems.
Impacts
Hunting is big business in South Texas. Often income from hunting exceeds that from all other agricultural sources. Quality hunting is related to large numbers of large antlered deer. Quality feed is one of the critical needs to provide for high survival rates and rapid body and antler growth. Deer prefer legumes over almost any grass, thus the legumes that we are working on will have a major role in sustaining high populations of quality deer. Of course, most all classes of livestock also perform well on legumes. As ranching becomes less profitable, ranchers need to cut costs of production. Hay feeding, fertilizer, and protein supplement cost can all be reduced with the use of well adapted legumes. Legumes reduce or eliminate the need for N-fertilizer with little or no reduction in carrying capacity. Winter legumes such as annual medics reduce the need for winter feeding of hay and reduce or eliminate the need for the use of protein supplements. Legumes fix N
biologically. Our data suggests that we can meet all the N-fertilizer needs of pastures by growing a well adapted legume. These savings can be as much as $30 per acre, and that does not account for the reduction in the need to feed protein supplements. Hence we think we have the answers to sustainable pasture production systems for the semi-arid southwest.
Publications
- Kunz, Daniel Justin. 2002. Evaluation of alternative warm-season forages for free-ranging white-tailed deer in south Texas. M. S. Thesis. Texas A&M - Kingsville. Range and Wildlife Management. Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2002. Developing annual medics for Texas. SPFCIC meeting at Overton, TX. April 9-11, 2002.
- Ocumpaugh, W.R. 2002. Forages for the Ecological Production of Beef in Mexico. Presented at a meeting of cattlemen in Veracruz, Mexico June 13-15, 2002.
- Ocumpaugh, W. R. 2002. Legumes make big bucks in South Texas. 2002. p. III-22 - III-26 Texas Beef Short Course, College Station, TX. August 5, 2002. "Forage Grazing School"
- Ocumpaugh, W. R. 2002. Guidelines for use of annual medics and clovers in South Texas. 2002. p. III-27 - III-28 Texas Beef Short Course, College Station, TX. August 5, 2002. "Forage Grazing School"
- Ocumpaugh, W., M. Hussey, J. Read, J. Muir, F. Hons, G. Evers, K. Cassida, B. Venuto, J. Grichar, and C. Tischler. 2002. Evaluation of switchgrass cultivars and cultural methods for biomass production in the south central U.S. (Consolidated Report 2002.) Submitted to OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY, Oak Ridge, TN. April 2002. 135 pages.
- Dou, F., F. Hons, W. Ocumpaugh, J. Read, M. Hussey, J. Muir, and W. Grichar. 2002. Soil organic matter pools under different crop covers in Texas. (On CD only) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
- Tischler, C.R., J.D. Derner, J. Alderson, W.R. Ocumpaugh, H.W. Polley and H.B. Johnson. 2002. An Alamo switchgrass population with reduced seed dormancy. Third Eastern Native Grass Symposium, Chappel Hill NC in October 2002.
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Progress 01/01/01 to 12/31/01
Outputs
The project continues to pursue legumes for use in the semi-arid area of South Texas, and understand the plant and environmental constraints to seedling establishment of both grasses and legumes. We have determined that the bundleflowers that we have been working on for nearly a decade are easy to establish using surface seeding with minimal manipulation after seeding to cover the seed. These bundleflowers have also proven to be very drought resistant once established. The quality of the forage is very good, and they produce a high percentage of hard seed. This legume is a summer growing perennial shrub that typically freezes to the ground each winter. Cattle will utilize the leaves and stem up to about the size of a pencil. The plant is good habitat for wildlife, the forage has enough tannin in it to prevent overgrazing, especially during drought, but deer utilize most of the leaf and small stems. We plan to release the four selections we have under evaluation in
2002. Commercial seed was produced in the fall of 2001, and seed yields are going to be in the 400 pounds per acre range. We continue to evaluate additional annual medics for specific areas in Texas and the Southeast. We are currently evaluating black medic, little burr medic, and spotted burr medic to fit niche areas where 'Armadillo' burr medic is not well adapted. These medics have high forage quality, high hard seed contents, and naturally regenerate stands each year in the areas where they are well adapted. We have been working with a commercial seed producer to try to understand the management implications for seed production on these medics. Our work on seed and seedling characteristics of switchgrass has progressed to the point that we now have germplasms that have the following traits: low-crown node placement, low seed dormancy, and high seedling mass. We are working toward combining all these traits into one germplasm that should enhance seedling establishment. We continue
to evaluate rhizoma peanuts for use in South Texas. Our selections will establish full stands in less than one growing season if irrigated. We plan to initiate a study to evaluate the potential to use our selections for ground cover, weed control, and nitrogen fixation in organic citrus groves.
Impacts
Hunting is big business in South Texas. Often income from hunting exceeds that from all other agricultural sources. Quality hunting is related to large numbers of large antlered deer. Quality feed is one of the critical needs to provide for high survival rates and rapid body and antler growth. Deer prefer legumes over almost any grass, thus the legumes that we are working on will have a major role in sustaining high populations of quality deer. Of course, most all classes of livestock also perform well on legumes. As ranching becomes less profitable, ranchers need to cut costs of production. Hay feeding, fertilizer, and protein supplement cost can all be reduced with the use of well adapted legumes. Legumes reduce or eliminate the need for N-fertilizer with little or no reduction in carrying capacity. Winter leguems such as annual medics reduce the need for winter feeding of hay and reduce or eilimnate the need for the use of protein supplements. Legumes fix N
biologically. Our data suggests that we can meet nearly all the N-fertilizer needs of pastures by growing a well adapted legume. These savings can be as much as $30 per acre, and that does not account for the reduction in the need to feed protein supplements. Hence we think we have the answers to sustainable pasture production systems for the semi-arid southwest.
Publications
- Tischler, C. R., Elberson, H.W., Hussey, M.A., Ocumpaugh, W.R., Reed, R.L. and Sanderson M.A. 2001. Registration of TEM-SLC and TEM-SEC Switchgrass germplasm. Crop Sci. 41:1654-1655.
- Ocumpaugh, W. R. 2001. Developing annual medics for Texas. In: Proc. 56th Southern Pasture and Forage Crop Improvement Conference, Springdale, AR April 21-22, 2001. http://www.agr.okstate.edu/spfcic/procedures/2001/breeders/ocumpaugh. htm
- Ocumpaugh, W. R., Kunz, D., Ginnett, T. Bryant F. and, Grichar, J. 2001. Bundleflower for wildlife and livestock utilization in South Texas. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council. 10:185. April 22-25, 2001. Springdale, AR.
- Nerada, J. D., Grichar, W. J., Ocumpaugh, W. R., Cassida, K. A., Evers, G. W., Rahmes, J. N. and Langston, V. B. 2001. Tolerance of switchgrass to herbicides. South. Weed Sci. Soc. 54:(in press).
- Ocumpaugh, W. R. and Muir J. P. 2001. Annual medics in Texas. p. (on disc) Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI. (Invited).
- Ocumpaugh, W. R., Kunz, D., Ginnett, T., Bryant F., and Grichar, J. 2001. Bundleflower for wildlife and livestock utilization in South Texas. Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council. 10:185. April 22-25, 2001. Springdale, AR.
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Progress 01/01/00 to 12/31/00
Outputs
This project continues to concentrate on legumes for the semi-arid south. Our annual medic work indicates that several species have potential, with our released Armadillo burr medic continuing to perform well. In fact we are learning that this plant is one of the easiest species to establish as stand on of any we have ever worked with. Broadcast seeding on minimally disturbed sod, followed by dragging appears to be very successful. We are also working with a selection of Medicago minima (little burr medic) that our results show will be adapted to colder and dryer areas than Armadillo. The mechanics of seed harvesting on M. minima will be addressed in 2001. Another area of work is with the summer perennial legume, Desmanthus virgatus. This legume is well adapted to the southern third of Texas, and is also easy to establish. We have determined, that in spite of the drought of 2000, we were very successful in establishing about 30 demonstration sites in South Texas. All
of these legumes are being used in deer food plot research, and the deer relish them. It appears that we can grow the winter annual medics and the D. virgatus in the same fields without any need for cultivation, thereby providing nearly year around quality feed for deer and other wildlife.
Impacts
Hunting is big business in South Texas. Often income from hunting exceeds that from all other agricultural sources. Quality hunting is related to large numbers of large antlered deer. Quality feed is one of the critical needs to provide for high survival rates and rapid body and antler growth. Deer prefer legumes over almost any grass, thus the legumes that we are working on will have a major role in sustaining high populations of quality deer. Of course, most all classes of livestock also perform well on legumes. And as the price of energy continues to rise, ranchers are faced with one of two or more choices, pay more for N-fertilizer, cut or eliminate the use of N-fertilizer resulting in reduced carrying capacity, or start using legumes to fix N biologically. Our data suggests that we can meet nearly all the N fertilizer needs of pastures by growing a well adapted legume. These savings can be as much as $30 per acre, and that does not account for the reduction in
the need to feed protein supplements. Hence we think we have the answers to sustainable pasture production systems for the semi-arid southwest.
Publications
- REED,R.L.,W.R. OCUMPAUGH,and M.A. HUSSEY. 2000. Nitrogen and carbohydrate responses of dwarf napiergrass tillers to nitrogen fertilizer. Tropical Agr. 77:(1)6-12.
- TISCHLER,C.R. and W.R. OCUMPAUGH. 2000. Kleingrass and other Panicums. In: Warm-Season Grasses. ASA monograph. (In Review).
- CASSIDA, K.A., D.MALINOSKI, W.E.Pinchak,W.R.OCUMPAUGH, and G.R. SMITH. 2000. Annual legumes as reseeding components of pastures in north central Texas. p. 115-119. In: Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council.
- CASSIDA, K.A.,W.R.OCUMPAUGH, and W.J.GRICHAR. 2000. Using herbicides for improving establishment of switchgrass. p. 196-200 In: Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council.
- OCUMPAUGH,W.R.and C.STICHLER. 2000.Forages for South and South Central Texas. p. V-2 - V-12 Texas Beef Short Course, College Station, TX. August 7, 2000. Forage Grazing School.
- OCUMPAUGH,W.R.and C.STICHLER. 2000. Warm season forages grasses for South and South Central Texas. TFGC Advances. Vol. 13, No. 2. p.2-4.
- OCUMPAUGH,W.R.,M. HUSSEY, J.READ, J.MUIR, F.HONS, G.EVERS, K.CASSIDA, D.KEE, B.VENUTO, and J.GRICHAR.2000. Evaluation of switchgrass cultivars and cultural methods for biomass production in the south central U.S. (Annual report 1999.) Submitted to OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY, Oak Ridge, TN. February 2000. 90 pages.
- MUIR,J.P.,M. A. SANDERSON, W.R.OCUMPAUGH, R.M. JONES, and R.L.REED. 2001. Biomass production of Alamo switchgrass in response to nitrogen, phosphorus, and row spacing in diverse environments. Agron. J. (IN REVIESION).
- OCUMPAUGH,W.R.,T.GINNETT, F.BRYEANT, and D.KUNZ. 2000. Report on deer food plot research at West Wind Ranch for 1999. Submitted to Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute and TAMU-Kingsville, and Larry Martin, Houston, TX. January 2000. 5 pages.
- CASSIDA, K.A., D.MALINOWSKI, W.E. PINCHAK, W.R. OCUMPAUGH, and G.R. SMITH. 2000. Yield and persistence of annual legumes in north central Texas. AFGC
- LOBO-ALONZO, P.J., F.M. HONS, W.R. OCUMPAUGH, M.A. HUSSEY, J.P. MUIR, J. C. READ, B.C. VENUTO, K.A. CASSIDA, and W.J. GRICHAR. 2000. Changes in soil carbon and nitrogen under switchgrass. p.247 Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., M.A. HUSSEY, J.C. READ, J.P. MUIR, F.M. HONS, G.W. EVERS, K.A. CASSIDA, B.A. VENUTO, and W.J. GRICHAR,Jr. 2000. Switchgrass for biofuel: A Texas perspective. p. 177 Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
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Progress 01/01/99 to 12/31/99
Outputs
Much of our effort for 1999 was in evaluation of both winter and summer growing legumes for deer food plots. We determined that white-tailed deer relish most legumes. For winter/spring use, Armadillo burr medic, Jemalong barrel medic and two experimentals (little burr medic and black medic) showed the best adaptive characteritics to the region. For summer use, bundleflower, and rhizoma peanut show real promise as long live perennials that are well adapted and accepted by the deer. We are evaluating several selections of black medic with a lesser effort in other medics. Seed increases of a selection of black and little burr medic have been planted. We planted about 2.5 acres each of 4 different bundleflower selections for seed increase and harvested from 600 to over 1000 lbs of seed from each of these selections. This will allow for an expanded effort to determine how, when, and where these bundleflower selections are adapted in Texas. PVP data for the plant variety
protection of Armadillo burr medic was collected and filed with the U.S. patent office. Evaluation of 3 ecotypes of deer pea vetch in the winter of 1998-99 suggested that this plant has limited utility. Seed harvest will be a challenge, and the plant is not all that productive.
Impacts
The standard forage crops for deer food plots are oats and lablab. Neither of these are perennials nor will they reseed themselves. We think that by using the combination of the perennial summer growing bundleflower and the persistent reseeding annual medics like Armadillo burr and Jemalong barrel medic that we can improve the feed flow and maintain the quantity and perhaps improve the quality of forage available to white-tailed deer in South Texas. Manageing ranches for quality deer is more profitable than mangeing ranches for domestic livestock, and with good management, you can have both.
Publications
- MUIR, J. P. and W. R. OCUMPAUGH. 1999. Naturalised Annual Medics of Texas for Winter Pastures. Grassland Society of Southern Africa Congress. 34:18. In: GSSA Abstracts. Warmbad, RSA.
- MUIR, J. P., M. A. SANDERSON, W. R. OCUMPAUGH, R. L. REED, and R. M. JONES. 1999. Effect of row spacing, nitrogen rate and phosphorus rate on "Alamo" switchgrass biomass production. p. 144 In: Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
- READ, J. C., M. R. SUPLICK, J. P. JOHNSON, W. R. OCUMPAUGH, and M. A. HUSSEY. 1999. Response of switchgrass to nitrogen fertilizer and harvest dates. p.105 In: Agronomy Abstracts. Madison WI.
- TISCHLER, C. R., J. D. DERNER, and W. R. OCUMPAUGH. 1999. Improving seedling establishment by modifying seedling photomorphogenic characteristics of warm-season grasses. Eastern Native Grass Symposium. Baltimore, MD. Nov. 17-19, 1999.
- SANDERSON, M.A., R. L. REED, W. R. OCUMPAUGH, M. A. HUSSEY, G. VAN ESBROECK, J. C. READ, C. R. TISCHLER, and F. M. HONS. 1999. Switchgrass cultivars and germplasm for biomass feedstock production in Texas. Bioresource Technology. 67:209-219.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R. 1999. Forage varieties for South Texas. Texas Beef Short Course, College Station, TX. August 9, 1999. "Forage Grazing School".
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R., and G. R. SMITH. 1999. Legume adaptability, establishment, management, utilization, and reseeding. p. 28-36. In: Winter Pasture Short Course, Tyler, TX. August 27, 1999. Texas Forage and Grassland Council, TAEX, TAES.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R., and G. R. SMITH. 1999. Legume adaptability, establishment, management, utilization, and reseeding. p. 26-34. In: Winter Pasture Short Course, Crockett, TX. September 3, 1999. Texas Forage and Grassland Council, TAEX, TAES.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R. 1999. Guidelines for use of annual medics and clovers in South Texas. p. 35-36. In: Winter Pasture Short Course, Luling, TX. September 10, 1999. Texas Forage and Grassland Council, TAEX, TAES, The Luling Foundation.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R., and G. W. EVERS. 1999. Establishment and management of winter annual pastures. p. 9-13. In: Winter Pasture Short Course, Luling, TX. September 10, 1999. Texas Forage and Grassland Council, TAEX, TAES, The Luling Foundation.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R., and G. R. SMITH. 1999. Legume adaptability, establishment, management, utilization, and reseeding. p. 26-34. In: Winter Pasture Short Course, Luling, TX. September 10, 1999. Texas Forage and Grassland Council, TAEX, TAES, The Luling Foundation.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R., and G. R. SMITH. 1999. Legume adaptability, establishment, management, utilization, and reseeding. p. 26-34. In: Winter Pasture Short Course, Decatur, TX. September 24, 1999. Texas Forage and Grassland Council, TAEX, TAES.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R. 1999. Armadillo burr medic: A new legume variety for Central and South Texas. TFGC Advances. Vol. 12, No. 1. p. 1-3.
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R. 1999. Armadillo burr medic: 1998-99 update. TFGC Advances. Vol. 12, No. 3 p. 3-4.
- TRIBE, CHRISTEN. 1999. The new Texas Armadillo. p. 72-78. The Cattleman Magazine. August 1999 (Written about W. R. Ocumpaugh)
- OCUMPAUGH, W. R., M. HUSSEY, J. READ, J. MUIR, R. JONES, F. HONS, G. EVERS, M. PHILLIPS, K. CASSIDA, D. KEE, and B. VENUTO. 1999, Evaluation of switchgrass cultivars and cultural methods for biomass production in the south central U.S. (Annual report 1998.) Submitted to OAK RIDGE NATIONAL LABORATORY, Oak Ridge, TN. March 1999. 70 pages.
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Progress 01/01/98 to 12/31/98
Outputs
The seed increase on 'BEPAS18' burr medic (Medicago polymorpha) was completed with over 850 lbs/A of clean seed produced on 15 acres of irrigated land. BEPAS18 was released as 'Armadillo' burr medic by TAES in September of 1998. Annual dry matter production on Armadillo burr medic has been consistently near 4000 lbs/A. It is more frost tolerant than all commercially available medics from Australia, and reestablishes and spreads better than all other medics. Limited certified seed was sold in 1998, with 60 acres in seed production (irrigated) for 1999. Seed was harvested with a Horwood-Bagshaw vacuum harvester manufactured in Australia. Seed harvest is slow, but the production per acre is high, so harvest costs per pound are low. Seed increases on additional annual medic species (M. minima and M. lupilina) were completed in 1998. Seed increases of 3 ecotypes of Vicia ludoviciana (deer pea vetch) and 4 Desmanthus virgatus genotypes were completed in 1998. Statewide
evaluation of the new medic and vetch lines are underway including plantings for evaluation as deer food plots. The Desmanthus lines are scheduled for extensive evaluation in 1999.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- SANDERSON, M.A., R.L. REED, W.R. OCUMPAUGH, M.A. HUSSEY, G.VAN ESBROECK, J.C. READ, C.R. TISCHLER,and F.M. HONS. 1999. Switchgrass cultivar and germplasm for biomass feedstock production in Texas. Bioresource Technology. 67:209-219.
- WEI, L.C., R.H. LOPPERT, and W.R. OCUMPAUGH. 1998. Analysis of Fe-deficiency induced H+ release by plant roots using chemnical equilibrium and pH-stat methods. J.Plant Nut. 21:1539-1549.
- WEI, L.C., R.H. LOPPERT, and W.R. OCUMPAUGH. 1998. Characteristics of Fe-deficency induced H+ release in subterranean clover. Physiol. Plant. 103:443-450.
- ELBERSEN, H.W., W.R. OCUMPAUGH, M.A. HUSSEY, M.A. SANDERSON, and C.R. TISCHLER. 1999. Field evaluation of switchgrass seedlings divergently selected for crown node placement. Crop Sci. 39:(in press).
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R. 1998. Seed production of forage legumes for south Texas. In: Proc. I Simposium Internacional de Semillas Forrajeras. Saltillo, Coahuila, MX. Sept. 23-25,1998.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., D.H. BADE, K.A. CASSIDA, W.J. GRICHAR, M.A. HUSSEY, R.L. LANE, W.E. PINCHAK, W.D.PITMAN, J.N. RAHMES, J.C. READ, D.C. SESTAK, and G.R. SMITH. 1998. Limits of adaptation of a burr medic selection naturalized in South Texas. p.148-152. In: Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., O. RODRIGUEZ. 1998. Pasture forage production: Integration of improved pasture species into South Texas livestock production systems. p.49-60. In: Proc. Management of Grazinglands in Northern Mexico and South Texas. Laredo, TX. June 25-26,1998.
- ELBERSEN, H.W., W.R. OCUMPAUGH, M.A. HUSSEY, M.A. SANDERSON,and C.R. TISCHLER. 1998. Switchgrass and kleingrass crown node elevation under low ligh. Crop Sci. 38:712-716.
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Progress 01/01/97 to 12/31/97
Outputs
Statewide evaluation of a naturalized burr medic (Medicago polymorpha) 'BEPAS18' collected at TAES-Beeville indicates that it is adapted to the calcareous soils of Central and South Texas and will produce about 4000 lbs/A of dry matter. Seeding rate studies suggest that an optimum seeding rate will be near 10 to 12 lbs/A. BEPAS18 has a high level of hardseededness, which permits this plant to be very persistent in this drought-prone region of the state. We have planted 20 acres of BEPAS18 to produce Foundation Seed in preparation for a variety release in 1998. We completed one establishment study with 3 CPI's of Desmanthus virgatus (90857, 90906, 84508) and determined that sod planting in bermudagrass can be successful if sufficient Roundup is applied to suppress grass competition for most of the summer. Additional research is needed to further clarify this planting method. This legume holds promise as a multi-use plant for livestock and wildlife. As a wildlife plant
it will provide seed and cover for birds and a protein-rich food source for deer and other large herbivores.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., M.A. HUSSEY and B.L. BURSON. 1997. Buffelgrass forage and seed production responses to N and P fertilization. p. 10-1 to 10-2. In Proc. 18th Int. Grassld. Cong., Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., M.A. HUSSEY, J.H. RAHMES, W.J. GRICHAR, JR., D.C. SESTAK and RAY SMITH. 1997. Burr medic--A persistent cool-season legume for Texas. p. 59-63. In Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council.
- SANDERSON, M.A., R.L. REED, M.A. HUSSEY, C.R. TISCHLER, J.C. READ and W.R. OCUMPAUGH. 1997. Switchgrass management for biomass energy feedstock in Texas. p. 19-5 to 19-6. In Proc. 18th Int. Grassld. Cong., Winnipeg, Manitoba, and Saskatoon, Sasskatchewan, Canada.
- WEI, L.C., R.H. LOEPPERT and W.R. OCUMPAUGH. 1997. Fe-deficiency stress response in Fe-deficiency resistant and susceptible subterranean clover: Importance of induced H+ release. J. Exp. Botany. 48:239-246.
- WEI, L.C., W.R. OCUMPAUGH and R.H. LOEPPERT. 1997. In vitro cultured roots of subclover can develop Fe-deficiency stress response. Physiol. Plant. 100:975-981.
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Progress 01/01/96 to 12/30/96
Outputs
Drought during 1996 severely impacted much of our field research. With only 5 inches of rain from January through mid-August, most field experiments yielded limited planned results. However, we were able to characterize some species for extreme drought resistance. Nearly all switchgrass cultivars died, while kleingrass survived very well. Tifton 85 bermudagrass survived and was green longer than Coastal bermudagrass. Desmanthus virgatus PI's survived and retained good green color, while rhizoma peanuts survived well but dropped most leaf tissue. Four CPI's (90857, 90906, 84508, 81337) of Desmanthus virgatus, a warm-season perennial legume, were identified as having good winter survival, good seedling traits, and promising yield at several locations in South Texas. We successfully produced seed (under irrigation) on several legumes which we have identified as having good adaptive characteristics in South Texas. Seed production potential of the selections of Desmanthus
virgatus are in excess of 500 pounds/acre. Seed production potential on two burr medic lines exceeded 1000 pounds/acre. Seed of naturalized lines of black medic and button medic were also increased for statewide evaluation in 1996-97. Experimental seeding of burr medic in the burr (unhulled) has demonstrated real merit in a drought-prone region.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- OCUMPAUGH W. R., ARCHER S. AND STUTH J.W. 1996. Switchgrass recruitment from broadcast seed vs. seed fed to cattle. J. Range Manage. 49:368-371. OCUMPAUGH W.
- R., WEI L.C. AND LOEPPERT R.H. 1996. Mechanisms of Fe-deficiency resistance in clovers. p. 9. In: Proc. 14th Trifolium Conference. Lexington, KY.May 22-24, 1996. (Invited) OCUMPAUGH W.
- R., GRICHER jr. W.
- J., RAHMES J.H. AND SESTAK D.C. 1996. Seeding multiple legume species in semiarid pastures. p. 65-69. In: Proc. American Forage and Grassland Council. TISCHLER C.
- R., VOIGT P.W. AND OCUMPAUGH W.R. 1996. Registration of TEM-LC and TEM-EC kleingrass germplasm. Crop Sci. 36:220. WEI L.
- C., LOEPPERT R.H. AND OCUMPAUGH W.R. 1997. Fe-deficiency stress response in Fe-deficiency resistant and susceptible subterranean clover: Importance of induced H+ release. J. Exp. Botany. (Accepted) WEI L.
- C., OCUMPAUGH W.R. AND LOEPPERT R.H. 1997. In vitro cultured roots of subclover can develop Fe-deficiency stress response. Physiol. Plant. (Accepted).
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Progress 01/01/95 to 12/30/95
Outputs
The resistance mechanism to iron-deficiency chlorosis in clover is regulated by the iron stress response. When clovers have insufficient iron available, the stress response activates the root's ability to pump out H+ ions to reduce the pH in the rhizosphere. Resistant plants respond more rapidly and result in a lower pH than susceptible plants. This response mechanism is responsive to root temperature and must have cations available in the culture solution to activate the mechanism. Essential cations are more effective than non-essential cations and divalent cations are more effective than monovalent cations. Iron reductase activity is also enhanced by the iron stress response, but it is not related to resistance to iron-deficiency chlorosis. With the use of root culture techniques, we were able to demonstrate similar iron stress responses as with whole plants, indicating that the iron stress response is regulated by root iron status and the root itself has the full
ability to develop the iron stress resposne. A naturalized burr medic has been identified for seed increase for potential release as a cultivar for use in South Texas. Several Desmanthus virgatus lines were evaluated throughout the state for potential release as a cultivar.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
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Progress 01/01/94 to 12/30/94
Outputs
The mechanism controlling iron deficiency chlorosis in clovers grown on calcareous soil has been identified. Clovers resistant to chlorosis possess a very active proton pump that is capable of reducing the pH in the rhizosphere. Susceptible clover plants do not respond to iron-deficiency as rapidly and pumps protons at a lower rate. This iron stress response mechanism may also enhance the solubility of other nutrients. Selection for resistance to iron deficiency chlorosis is underway in arrowleaf and rose clover. Rose clover, once thought to be highly resistant to iron chlorosis, has been found to have a complete range of resistance/susceptibility. Most cultivars of rose clover are somewhat susceptible with `Olympus' being very susceptible. A collection of naturalized bur medics was made in South Texas. Plantings of these medics were made at four locations in Texas to evaluate variation in maturity, growth form, winter hardiness, and forage production. These medics are
being compared to several commercial medic cultivars from Australia. A large collection of Desmanthus virgatus Plant Introductions and the three Australian cultivars (`Marc', `Uman' and `Bayamo') were evaluated in 1994. This summer growing perennial legume is native to the America's including Texas. Alamo switchgrass yield was found to respond linearly to nitrogen fertilizer up to the maximum rate used of 200 lb/acre, but did not respond to P(subscript 2)O(subscript 5) fertilizer.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., SWAKON, D.H.D., TISCHLER, C.R. and VALLE, L.S. 1994. Oil treatment and digestion depresses germination of grass seed. Crop Sci. 34:1319-1323.
- PRATT, R.G. and OCUMPAUGH, W.R. 1994. Occurrence of Cercospora zebrina on subterranean clover in South Texas. Plant Dis. 78:1010.
- WEI, L.C., OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and LOEPPERT, R.H. 1994. Differential effect of soil temperature on Fe-deficiency chlorosis in susceptible and resistant subclovers. Crop Sci. 34:715-721.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., TISCHLER, C.R. and VALLE, L.S. 1995. Post-harvest seed dormancy effects on kleingrass germination following simulated digestion by cattle. Crop Sci. 35:(in-press).
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., STUTH, J.W. and ARCHER, S.R. 1993. Recovery and germination of switchgrass seed fed to cattle. p. 318-319. In Proc. 17th Int. Grassld. Cong., Palmerston North, New Zealand, and Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia.
- WEI, L.C., OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and LOEPPERT, R.H. 1994. Plant growth and nutrient uptake characteristics of Fe-deficiency chlorosis susceptible and resistant subclovers. Plant and Soil. (Proc. VII Int. Sympos. on Iron) 161:(In Press).
- FRENCH, E.C., PRINE, G.M., OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and RICE, R.W. 1993. Regional experience with forage Arachis: United States. In P.C. Kerridge and B. Hardy (ed.). Biology and Agronomy of Forage Arachis. p. 167-184. CIAT, Cali, Columbia.
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Progress 01/01/93 to 12/30/93
Outputs
Differential iron deficiency chlorosis susceptibility in clovers can be enhancedby refrigerating the water used to saturate the calcareous soil. Selection for improved resistance to iron deficiency chlorosis is underway in arrowleaf and rose clover. `Overton R-18' rose clover and `Jemalong,' barrel medic has reestablished well from multiple South Texas plantings made in the fall of 1992. A limited number of Desmanthus virgatus Plant Introductions were evaluated in 1993. Their potential for use in South Texas looks very good. Further evaluations are planned. `Tifton 85' bermudagrass retained more green color than `Coastal' bermudagrass during the summer drought of 1993. Tifton 85 continues to show promise as a potential alternative cultivar to Coastal bermudagrass for use in South Texas. Dry matter yield of buffelgrass responds linearly to N fertilizer rates, but not to P(subscript 2)O(subscript 5) fertilizer when applied in a factorial set of treatments. Buffelgrass
seed production or seed quality did not respond to N or P(subscript 2)O(subscript 5) fertilizer. Seed quality (caryopsis per 100 involucres) of buffelgrass varied with season of production and harvest date within season. Spring seed quality was superior to fall seed quality, and early spring seed quality was superior to late spring seed quality. `Alamo' switchgrass produced over twice as much dry matter yield as `Selection 75' kleingrass during the second year of production.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and SWAKON, D.H.D. 1993. Simulating grass seed passage through the digestive system of cattle: A laboratory technique. Crop Sci. 33:1084-1090.
- YOUNG, B.A., TISCHLER, C.R. and OCUMPAUGH, W.R. 1993. Registration of TEM-LD1 kleingrass germplasm. Crop Sci. 33:219.
- WEI, L.C., OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and LOEPPERT, R.H. 1994. Differential effect of soil temperature on Fe-deficiency chlorosis in susceptible and resistant subclovers. Crop Sci. (Accepted).
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., STUTH, J.W. and ARCHER, S.R. 1993. Recovery and germination of switchgrass seed fed to cattle. Proc. XVII Int. Grassld. Cong., Palmerston North, New Zealand (in-press).
- WEI, L.C., OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and LOEPPERT, R.H. 1994. Characterization of Fe-deficiency chlorosis susceptible and resistant subclovers on a calcareous soil. Plant Soil. (Proc. VII Int. Symposium on Iron). (Accepted).
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Progress 01/01/92 to 12/30/92
Outputs
We have determined that fecal seedings of `Alamo' switchgrass was equal to or better than broadcast seeding. We have developed a laboratory procedure for evaluating grass seed survival through the digestive system of cattle. Post-harvest seed dormancy in kleingrass seed has no impact on seed survival through the digestive system of cattle. Diet quality influences the potential of grass seed to survive through the digestive system of cattle. High quality diets reduce seed survival. Two rhizoma peanut Plant Introductions (PI 262819 and 262821) have good forage potential and are equal to or better than Florida cultivars for other traits. Subclover cultivars that are resistant and susceptible to iron deficiency chlorosis have dramatically different mineral uptake responses when grown on calcareous soil over a range of soil temperatures. Iron, Zn and P uptake response functions are not only different at a particular soil temperature, but have different (positive vs
negative) response functions to soil temperatures. HiStick brand inoculation product was evaluated on arrowleaf clover and determined to be equal to or better than the Pelinoc brand of inoculum. HiStick treated seed resulted in enhanced nodulation, and up to 41% larger seedlings than Pelinoc treated seed. Fertilizer response studies indicate that buffelgrass responds linearly to increased N. Genotype 17-54 produced 27 kg dry forage per kg N (vs. 23 for Common) applied over a range of 0 to 200 kg N/ha.
Impacts
(N/A)
Publications
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R. and EVERS, G.W. 1992. Greenhouse evaluation of new inoculation products on arrowleaf clover. Proc. 12th Trifolium Conf., Gainesville, FL. Mar. 25-27, 1992, p. 83-84.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., STUTH, J.W. and ARCHER, S.R. 1992. Using cattle to distribute pasture seeds. TFGC Advances (Texas Forage and Grassland Council, Georgetown, Tx), No. 3/1992. p. 5-12.
- EVERS, G.W. and OCUMPAUGH, W.R. 1992. Evaluation of new inoculation techniques for clovers. In: Proc. American Forage and Grassland Congress. p. 11-13.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., RAHMES, J.N., BRYN, D.F. and WEI, L.C. 1992. Field and greenhouse screening of oat seedlings for iron-nutrition efficiency. J. Plant Nutr. 15:1715-1725.
- OCUMPAUGH, W.R., STUTH, J.W. and ARCHER, S.R. 1993. Recovery and germination of switchgrass seed fed to cattle. Proc. XVII International Grassland Congress, Palmerston North, New Zealand (Accepted).
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