Quality and Yield of Seven Forages Grown Under Partial Shading of Simulated Silvopastoral Production System in East Texas.

The overarching goal of this project is to evaluate the growth and nutritional characteristics of seven forages, including various warm season native grasses, grown under simulated partial shading (50%) typical of a loblolly pine silvopastoral system, across three growing seasons.  Current data will include results for years one (2013) and two (2014).  In order to meet the overall objective, individual, slatted shade structures were constructed that reproduce the quantity, quality, and overall light regime found beneath loblolly pines.  The forages selected for the study include ‘Tifton 9’ bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum), ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), ‘Alamo’ switchgrass (Panicum virgatum), ‘Kaw’ Big Bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), ‘Americus’ Indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), ‘Harrison’ Florida Paspalum (Paspalum floridanum), and Nacogdoches Eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides).  The experimental design is a completely randomized design with forage type completely randomly assigned to plots, and shade treatment (0%, 50%) randomly assigned within forage type.   Forage produced beneath the slats is managed to simulate intensive grazing, with recognition of minimum and optimal grazing heights based on forage type.  Data will be presented on plant height, density, and dry matter yield, as well as on several nutritional parameters including in vitro true digestibility (IVTD), mineral nutrient concentration, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF).  Soil parameters will also be reported.