Initial studies of grass-endophyte mutualisms using Schedonorus arundinaceus cultivar Kentucky-31 infected with the vertically transmitted endophyte Epichloë coenophiala found strong, positive endophyte effects on host-grass invasion success. However, more recent work using different cultivars of S. arundinaceus has cast doubt on the ubiquity of this effect, at least as it pertains to S. arundi...

The series of severe droughts between 2007 and 2012 resulted in substantial decreases in cattle numbers – and enterprises – in our region. Some of the impact of these droughts may have been offset if producers in the region had reliable, drought-resilient summer forages. For all of the benefits of tall fescue, it was never meant to provide our summer forage. After all, it is a coolseason grass....

Light quality and, in particular, its content of blue light is involved in plant functioning and morphogenesis. Blue light variation frequently occurs within a stand as shaded zones are characterized by a simultaneous decrease of PAR and blue light levels which both affect plant functioning, for example, gas exchange. However, little is known about the effects of low blue light itself on gas ex...

For tall fescue in the southeastern USA, long term persistence, competitiveness, yield, and summer survival are directly related to the presence of a fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum; formerly called Acremonium coenophialum) living in the fescue plant. However, cattle grazing forage from the predominant USA tall fescue cultivars infected with their naturally occurring endophyte strai...

The identification of minimal N requirements for sustaining turfgrass quality and functionality became necessary to reduce fertilization inputs avoid potential environmental impacts in the European Union. A two year study was conducted at Padova University Legnaro, northeastern Italy investigate performance four tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) cultivars (‘Lexington’, ‘R...

Tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.) is the most widely used species in European transition zone, however, despite its good wear tolerance, use still limited to lawns and landscape areas due concerns about ability withstand low mowing regimes. A two years field study was conducted access performance of twenty tall cultivars (‘Ares’, ‘Armani’, ‘Dynamites LS’, ‘Firecracker SLS...

............................................................................................................................ iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ........................................................................................................ v CHAPTER 1. GENERAL INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 Thesis Organization .......................

Surface temperatures of hoofs of calves given toxic anion fractions of tall fescue were measured with an infrared sensitive camera. These changes expressed in terms of a weighted average coronary band temperature relate to clinical signs of fescue foot. The weighted average coronary band temperature values for control calves given saline solution were 27 to 31 C; those values of test calves giv...