Describe how knowledge of grass regrowth is beneficial to forage managers. (2024)

Grass has the amazing attribute of being able to produce tons of livestock feed then to be mowed or grazed and grow greater quantities and better quality again and again. Some trees can be pruned or trimmed and continue to grow and produce fruit but only after considerable time for rejuvenation. Ornamental flowers are clipped and expected to grow back next spring or summer, but grass can be grazed or harvested repeatedly in a growing season. Grasses are tremendous producers. But not all grasses react to defoliation in the same way, so grasses must be studied to best utilize this outstanding feature.

A grass seed contains nutrients to help the plant begin to grow. In spring, soil temperature, moisture, planting depth and seed vigor contribute to a seedling (cotyledon) emerging from the seed. All grasses are hypogeal, which means the first leaf remains below the surface of the soil. Also from the seed, a primary root called the radicle emerges. Additional roots soon develop from the seed and are called seminal roots. These roots are crucial for the absorption of water and nutrients but are short-lived. After the root growth is underway, the shoot (epicotyl) emerges and grows towards the surface. At first, since the development is underground (hypogeal) and since there is so little leaf material available to manufacture sunlight energy for growth, the plant uses stored carbohydrate reserves within the seed. But quickly a tube containing leaves (coleoptile) elongates toward the soil surface and emerges. It then stops growing, but leaves within unfurl and begin utilizing the sunlight. Since the primary root and seminal roots are short-lived, new roots (adventitious roots) develop if soil moisture is sufficient. With appropriate temperatures, leaf production then proceeds rapidly. Within a week, buds at the bottom of sheaths of lower leaves develop into new stems called tillers. Usually by the time three leaves appear, one or two tillers are visible. For the first month or so, the plant is busy producing leaves and tillers. This will continue until climatic conditions trigger the plant to focus on reproduction. Then the plant will elongate and send up a flag leaf and then a peduncle which is a stem that will support a reproductive inflorescence. The goal of forage production is to utilize grass growth before the reproductive stage when stems thicken and quality and palatability decrease. Managers must learn to use leaf material wisely and, if possible, postpone the reproductive stage.

It is interesting to learn that various grass species have specific patterns of leaf/tiller growth patterns. For example: perennial ryegrass will produce three leaves and then a tiller. And leaf formation will directly reflect a specific number of growing days when temperatures are conducive for growth. It is wise to learn the specific growth pattern of the grass species you produce.

Growth Sequence

When a grass plant has been defoliated (grazed or mowed) and some leaf material remains, the plant can continue growth because leaves will utilize sunshine and so photosynthesis continues. If defoliation severely reduces the leaf material, stored carbohydrates must be used for new growth because there is not enough leaf surface to support photosynthesis. The plant stops root growth and other functions to focus on replacing leaf tissue. Managers need to encourage leaf growth without using carbohydrate reserves and stopping root growth. This requires managing defoliation so that enough leaf surface remains to continue the photosynthesis process.

Another way to address this same growth process is to look at the apical meristem. Grass plants have a growing point called the apical meristem located in a bulge in the stem. It initiates new leaf growth, supports new buds and develops cells of the nodes. All of these functions actually determine the growth rate of a plant. This meristem remains close to the soil surface for quite a while. When climatic conditions are right and the plant is of good size, the meristem develops (differentiates) into a flower (inflorescence). Then it is pushed to the top of the plant, produces seed and dies. The root system of a plant also dies when the inflorescence dies. But while the meristem remains vegetative (not differentiated) and intact, the plant can be very productive in leaf developement even after grazing or mowing. If the meristem is grazed or mowed, however, new growth will cease. New growth can only continue from other sources like "daughter plants" called tillers. Tillering can take two forms, a vertical growth pattern which results in grass growing in bunches or horizontal growth resulting in grasses that form a sod or carpet. Bunch grasses, like orchardgrass, big bluestem, and wheatgrasses, sometimes only produce a few tillers. But sod-forming grasses, like Kentucky bluegrass, bermudagrass, and some bromegrasses, may send many tillers out and away from the plant by either underground (rhizome) or above ground (stolon) branches. Bunchgrasses allow for more competition from other plants by leaving open soil, so legumes are often planted with them. Sod-forming grasses usually have abundant terminal meristems and lots of leaf area close to the soil surface which results in better stability when the grass is closely or frequently grazed or mowed. They also work better for areas of heavy traffic.

As the growing season progresses, grass can be mowed or grazed and will continue to regrow as long as the meristem remains intact. The meristems may be the growing point or the area where the leaf blade wraps around the stem called the intercalary meristem. Growth is high-quality, leafy forage resulting in high animal performance. When a plant is reproductive (after differentiation of the growing point meristem), the palatability and digestibility of a grass plant is lower than leafy vegetative grass plants. Unless the grower is interested in seed production, forage plants are better feed when in the vegetative stage and repeated defoliation actually helps maintain that.

Once defoliated, grass will grow back from several ways but there are variations in how that is done. Grasses grow back because the base of the leaf blade, if not removed, expands and grows. Or regrowth can come from new leaves, tillers and buds. Some plants also have corms, which are carbohydrate reserves that look like bulbs near the surface of the soil.

Some grasses grow back in the same way they first grew. They are sometimes called jointed grasses but that terminology is confusing because all grasses have jointed stems. Basically "jointed grasses" grow back with the same leaf/tiller pattern and elongation of the stem during the reproductive phase as was seen in initial, undisturbed growth. These grasses must be managed carefully because the growing point can be elevated and become vulnerable to defoliation. These grasses include timothy and bromegrasses. However, some grasses regrow without the repeating the elongation of the stem for reproduction. These "nonjointed grasses" are more tolerant of continued grazing because the growing point is not continually elevated and therefore remains intact for future growth. Pastures with a mixture of grasses can be difficult to manage when jointed grasses are growing with nonjointed grasses.

Another factor involved in regrowth is that all grasses produce some tillers that do not flower. They are sterile tillers. Some grasses have many sterile tillers while others have a low percentage of sterile tillers. The sterile, nonflowering tillers maintain a low growing point so are less vulnerable to defoliation. The growing point may affected by long periods of dry conditions and long rests may cause the leaf blade base (intercalary meristems) to extend and be removed by grazing or clipping. But, generally, grasses with many sterile tillers will respond well to intensive grazing.

At the end of the growing season, a manager of grasses and legumes must consider when to mow or graze for the last time before winter arrives. The grass plant needs enough reserved carbohydrates to last the winter and begin new growth in the spring. A severe defoliation late in the season will remove the site of late photosynthesis and the plant will utilize reserves for root growth and plant functions and then will not have enough reserves for winter use and spring regrowth.

Forage managers can produce much more forage and have forage stands persist much longer when they understand how grasses grow and regrow. Though most grasses grow similarly in initial growth and when left undisturbed, grass species vary in regrowth mechanisms. This is crucial since the greatest benefit of forage is its ability to regrow many times in a growing season.

Describe how knowledge of grass regrowth is beneficial to forage managers. (2024)

FAQs

Describe how knowledge of grass regrowth is beneficial to forage managers.? ›

Forage managers can produce much more forage and have forage stands persist much longer when they understand how grasses grow and regrow. Though most grasses grow similarly in initial growth and when left undisturbed, grass species vary in regrowth mechanisms.

Why is grass important to farmers? ›

Grass can be used to improve soil, reduce erosion, feed animals, absorb manure, establish borders, clean air, purify water, provide habitat for wildlife including bees, protect waterways, and provide grain for humans. Utilizing grass wisely will consider all these aspects.

How does grass regrow? ›

Grasses grow back because the base of the leaf blade, if not removed, expands and grows. Or regrowth can come from new leaves, tillers and buds. Some plants also have corms, which are carbohydrate reserves that look like bulbs near the surface of the soil. Some grasses grow back in the same way they first grew.

How are grasses adapted to the grazers who feed on them? ›

Grasses are tough and fibrous to protect them from the hooves of grazers. The growth area of the grass is at the base of the blade, not at the tip, as in other plants. The grazers bring in beneficial insects that pollinate the grass.

What are the growth habits of grasses can be divided into different categories? ›

Grasses can have annual or perennial life cycles, tall or short statures, jointed or non-jointed regrowth mechanisms, sod or bunch growth habits, warm or cool-season responses to climates, and requirements or no requirements for vernalization.

Why is grass beneficial? ›

Lawns are for more than just looks. Maintaining a healthy, thick lawn also benefits the environment. Unlike hard surfaces such as concrete, asphalt, and wood, lawn grass helps clean the air, trap carbon dioxide, reduce erosion from stormwater runoff, improve soil, decrease noise pollution, and reduce temperatures.

Why are the grasses so important to us? ›

Grass has several functions. We cannot digest it and yet it is one of the most important resources for our food production: animals eat grass and we eat animal products such as meat, eggs and milk. Furthermore, we also use grass in other ways: for sport, recreation and to brighten up gardens and public spaces.

Does grass help plants grow? ›

Grass clippings are high in nitrogen – an important fertilizer that most plants need in regular amounts. Clippings also have a variety of other nutrients that they return to the soil as they break down.

How do you regrow new grass? ›

Just follow these simple steps for reseeding your lawn.
  1. Kill existing grass and weeds.
  2. Select the right grass seed.
  3. Prep the soil for reseeding.
  4. Spread the grass seed.
  5. Fertilize right away.
  6. Water daily.
  7. Give your new lawn continued TLC.

How does growing grass work? ›

Starting underground with the grass roots, nutrients and water are absorbed by the tiny root hairs that protrude into the soil. The roots then transport this life-sustaining nutrition to the shoots and leaves. At the tip of the root is the meristem, which is where grass grows.

What are the three stages of grass growth? ›

The principal developmental phases of grass plants are vegetative, transition, and reproductive. Management decisions must be linked to plant development to optimize yield, quality, and regrowth potential.

What is the relationship between grazers and grass? ›

Grasses have evolved with grazing animals so that they can thrive after being eaten by grazing animals. Grasses don't survive grazing: they thrive with grazing.

How do grasses survive grazing? ›

Grasses maintain api- cal and axillary buds near the base of the plant until flowering is initiated. 2 This is why grasses are relatively tolerant of grazing before flowering and why they can regrow quickly when grazed in the young leafy stage.

What are the growth points of grasses? ›

One growing point is at the base of the leaf blade. All of the cells that form the leaf blade, which usually is the bulk of the most palatable forage, come from the microscopic growing point at the base of the leaf blade. The second growing point is at the base of the leaf sheath, where the sheath attaches to a node.

What is a growth regulator for grass? ›

The short answer is that a growth regulator slows down the vertical growth of a plant or turf while encouraging it to stick together and grow denser. Applying one saves time and reduces the amount of maintenance required while improving the plant's appearance and quality.

Does grass grow indefinitely? ›

The sea of green that covers vast fields and parks may look timeless, but the grass is just like any other plant — it can't keep growing forever. But when does grass stop growing? Grass growth generally stops when temperatures fall to 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit or below.

Why do farmers plant grass after harvest? ›

In addition to protecting the soil against erosion, cover crops can improve soil quality, provide supplemental forage for grazing or mechanical harvest, can use excess nutrients in the soil, and can provide an option for manure application during late fall and winter periods.

How does the grassland play an important role in farming? ›

The main role of grasslands is to produce [glossary] biomass [/glossary] and as such to provide livestock with pastures consumed directly on site (grazing), as well as with fodder stocks for the winter months (hay, silage, haylage).

Why are plants important to farmers? ›

Healthy plants are vital to sustainable and profitable crop production and to the quality and cost of the nation's supply of food, fuel, and fiber. Health is also critical to plants used for ornamentals, natural resources, and animal feed.

Why do farmers plant trees and grasses on their farms? ›

Planting tall native grasses alongside field edges, roadways and wetland areas of your farm not only gives additional pollen and nectar sources for beneficial insects and pollinators, but also serves an important role in improving soil and water quality.

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