<p>  </p> <p>Kentucky bluegrass is the most common cool-season turfgrass grown in the northern US. <br> The fact that Kentucky bluegrass requires s high quantity of fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation to produce high quality turf has led to environmental concerns among policymakers, researchers, and consumers. To address this concern, turfgrass breeders have developed improved cultivars of low-input turfgrass species that aim to improve the sustainability of US lawns (Ghimire et al., 2019). For instance, tall fescue [(<em>Festuca arundinacea </em>Schreb.; syn. <em>Schedonorus arundinaceus</em> (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.] and fine fescues (<em>Festuca </em>spp.) may represent viable options for residential and commercial buildings due to their outstanding performance under lower amounts of inputs such as irrigation, pesticides, and fertilizers (Watkins et al., 2011). Thus, adopting improved cultivars of low-input species may be a step towards reducing the use of inputs in landscapes (Simmons et al., 2011; Pooya et al., 2013). Yet, the production of low-input turfgrasses in the northern US is slow and limited, which leads to marketing and education obstacles that support their adoption. Thus, understanding factors that influence sod buyers to purchase low-input turfgrasses is imperative to increase the market share and the adoption of these turfgrasses. </p> <p>This study investigated the factors influencing sod buyers to purchase low-input turfgrass in the northern US, using tall fescue and fine fescue as low-input sod species. Using a logistic regression model, we assessed the determinants of low-input turfgrass purchase among sod buyers (i.e., athletic facilities, landscape contractors, garden centers, general contractors, lawn care, golf courses, and municipal parks). The logit model assumed the adoption decision to be driven by the buyers’ perception of the utility of buying low-input turfgrass species. Thus, the dependent binary variable Y equals 1 if the firm purchased tall or fine fescue in 2020, and 0 otherwise. The adoption is then expressed as a function of determinants, including the firm’s characteristics, supplier characteristics, sod attributes, and buyer’s perceptions. </p> <p>Data for this study came from a 2021 web-based survey of sod buyers located in 19 states of the Northern US. A total of 200 buyers completed the survey, including landscape contractors, golf courses, general contractors, lawn care services, and landscape maintenance firms who have purchased sod in 2020. The significant mean comparisons between adopters and non-adopters showed that adopters of low-input turfgrasses purchased most of their sod through contract agreements. The main suppliers of adopters were located at a closer distance to on-site delivery than the non-adopters. The logit regression results showed that low-input turfgrass adoption was positively influenced by the number of sod suppliers and managerial experience of the sod buyer. Landscapers were more likely to purchase tall fescue and fine fescue compared to golf courses and municipal parks. We found that distance from sod supplier to on-site delivery negatively impacted the purchase of low-input turfgrasses. Similarly, Kentucky bluegrass buyers were less likely to purchase low-input turfgrass species.</p>

Use of legumes as an alternative to nitrogen (N) fertilization in pasture management improves forage quality and animal performance and has been suggested to reduce the potential for environmental pollution. "Kentucky 3l" tall fescue fertilized with 160 kg N ha-1 yr-1 (split application) was compared to tall fescue grown with alfalfa or red clover in a 5-yr pasture experiment on a mixed Typic Hapludult. During yr 6, effects of N fertilization or the legume on soil N, forage N concentration, yield, botanical composition, N intake by esophageally fistulated steers grazing the pastures and N utilization by wethers fed the harvested forages were investigated. Soil ammonium was higher (P ≤ .01) in the A and B horizons in the tall fescue-red clover pastures compared to the other treatments and nitrate was lower (P ≤ .05) in the A horizon, but concentrations differed (P ≤ .01) by date. Nitrate in the A horizon averaged 2.65, 1.38 and 2.21 ppm for tall fescue-N, tall fescue-red clover and tall fescue-alfalfa, respectively. In the B horizon, average soil NO3 was .43, .23 and .53 ppm for tall fescueâ N, tall fescue-red clover and tall fescue-alfalfa, respectively. Tall fescue-alfalfa pastures were higher (P ≤ .01) in percentage legume than tall fescue-red clover, overall, but differed by date (P ≤ .01). Alfalfa was generally higher (P ≤ .05) in N concentration than red clover. Total kg N accumulated ha⁻¹ in above-ground herbage was higher (P≤ .05) for the grass-legume mixtures than N-fertilized tall fescue. Esophageally fistulated steers grazing stockpiled tall fescue-alfalfa selected forage higher (P ≤ .05) in N concentration than steers grazing the other pastures. Stockpiled tall fescue-alfalfa fed to wethers in a metabolism trial was higher (P ≤ .01) in N concentration, dry matter digestibility (DMD), apparent N absorption, and N retention than the other treatments. All treatments differed, with wethers fed tall fescue-red clover having the lowest DMD, apparent N absorption and N retention. Wethers fed tall fescue-alfalfa and tall fescue-red clover had higher blood urea N then those fed tall fescue-N. Results of this research demonstrate that soil NO₃ concentrations were low for all three forage treatments and would not contribute to ground water contamination. Legumes supplied adequate N to achieve yields similar to tall fescue fertilized with N and increased N production ha⁻¹ in the above ground biomass. Digestibility and utilization of the N in stockpiled tall fescue were improved by inclusion of alfalfa but not red clover. / Master of Science

Animal welfare is a major concern among livestock producers in the U.S. Heat stress, particularly, compromises animal welfare and productivity, causing >$2B annual economic loss to producers. The presence of toxic alkaloids within tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix syn Lolium arundinaceum, syn Festuca arundinacea) plants induces a complex of disorders collectively known as fescue toxicosis. Summer slump, a reduction in animal performance due to heat stress, is common and evident of the symptoms. Various techniques for assessing animal physiological and behavioral responses to heat stress were explored in this dissertation, with particular emphasis on fescue toxicosis and its mitigation strategies. In the first study, the physiological and behavioral responses of heifers was evaluated when grazing either toxic tall fescue with wildtype endophyte (WE) or tall fescue with a novel endophyte (NE). Heifers (n = 24) were assigned to either WE or NE pastures for a 56-d grazing study during the summers of 2020 and 2021. Heifer average daily gain (ADG), intravaginal temperature, and degree of hair shedding were recorded during the grazing period. Blood samples were collected through coccygeal venipuncture and hair was collected from the left rump for cortisol analysis. Ear, tail, and hoof temperatures were collected for each heifer using an infrared thermal imaging camera. In 2020, heifers that grazed NE tall fescue had greater (P = 0.0160) ADG over the season (0.22 vs. 0.12 kg day-1). Hair retention score was greater (P = 0.0029) for heifers that grazed WE tall fescue compared to heifers that grazed NE tall fescue across both years. Heifers that grazed WE tall fescue had decreased ear skin temperature (P = 0.0001), tail skin temperature (P = 0.0058), and hoof surface temperature (P = 0.0075) compared to heifers that grazed NE. Heifers that grazed WE had 0.3-0.9 ºC hotter intravaginal temperatures than heifers that grazed NE, especially during daytime. Hair cortisol levels of heifers that grazed WE tall fescue were greater (P < 0.0001) compared to hair cortisol levels of heifers that grazed NE tall fescue. From 1200h-1700h each day, heifers that grazed WE tall fescue spent 1.5 more (P = 0.0003) hours standing and 0.9 fewer (P = 0.0402) hours lying down compared to heifers that grazed NE tall fescue. These results suggest that heat stress and other physiological changes in heifers grazing WE tall fescue could be mitigated by renovating pastures with NE tall fescue that does not impose any negative effects on grazing animals. The second study explored the potential benefits of consuming condensed tannins as a means of negating the effects of toxic alkaloids in tall fescue. Twelve fall-born steers were assigned to one of the two diet supplement treatments - sericea lespedeza pellets (LES) or sericea lespedeza pellets mixed with polyethylene glycol (LES+PEG) for 12 weeks during the summers of 2020 and 2021. The LES+PEG treatment served as a positive control since polyethylene glycol binds tannins, rendering them inactive in the gastrointestinal system. Animal body weight (BW), hair retention score (HRS), rectal temperature, and thermographic images were collected every 4 weeks. Hair and blood samples were also collected for cortisol analysis. Fecal and urine samples were collected and analyzed for total ergot alkaloid (TEA) concentration. Steers on LES had greater (P = 0.0033) ADG compared to steers on LES+PEG in 2021, but not in 2020 (P = 0.8707). In 2021, HRS was greater (P < 0.05) for steers fed LES+PEG compared to steers fed LES. In 2020, ear skin temperature (P < 0.0001) and hoof surface temperature (P = 0.0382) was greater in steers on LES compared to steers on LES+PEG. Rectal temperatures were lower (P = 0.02905) for steers fed LES compared to steers fed LES+PEG in 2021. Plasma cortisol levels did not differ (P ≥ 0.1566) between LES and LES+PEG treatments for both years. In 2020, hair cortisol levels did not differ (P = 0.8295) between treatments while in 2021, the hair cortisol level of steers on LES+PEG was greater (P = 0.0221) compared to hair cortisol levels of steers on LES. This study indicated some changes in animal physiology in response to dietary supplements containing condensed tannins, but results were inconsistent and further studies are needed to better understand the potential benefits of tannins in reducing the effects of toxic alkaloids consumption. In the third study, behavioral and physiological responses of ewes that grazed either mid-stage hardwood silvopastures or open pasture (OP) were compared. The study site consists of 0.27-ha of black walnut (Juglans nigra; BSP) and honeylocust (Gleditsia triacanthos; HSP) silvopastures and open pasture treatments, each replicated three times. During the summers of 2020 and 2021, thirty-six Katahdin ewes were assigned to one of the treatments for a 6-week summer grazing trial. Ewe weights were recorded for two consecutive days at the beginning and end of the study and intravaginal temperatures were recorded for two consecutive days at every 3-week intervals. Trail cameras captured animal behavior. Blood was collected via jugular venipuncture. Hair grown during the trial was collected from the loin region. Blood and hair cortisol concentrations were determined by ELISA. Ewe ADG was greater in HSP compared to OP (P = 0.0456) but did not differ with BSP (P = 0.4686) across both years. Ewes on OP had hotter (P ≤ 0.0343) intravaginal temperatures than ewes on both silvopasture treatments between 1100h-1700h. Plasma cortisol level was lower in ewes on BSP compared to ewes on OP (P = 0.0400) but did not differ with ewes on HSP (P = 0.6954) across both years. Ewes that grazed OP had greater hair cortisol levels compared to ewes on silvopasture treatments both in 2020 and 2021 (P < 0.0001). In 2020, ewes on BSP spent about 20% more time grazing than ewes on OP (P = 0.0054) while in 2021 ewes on BSP spent about 36% more time grazing than ewes on HSP (P = 0.0014). Ewes on OP spent 400% more time standing than ewes on BSP (P < 0.0001) and 750% more time standing than ewes on HSP (P < 0.0001). Ewe on OP spent 20% less time lying down compared to ewes on BSP (P < 0.0001) and 33% less time lying down compared to ewes on HSP (P < 0.0001). Hair cortisol measures and intravaginal temperature sensors can be utilized as reliable and relatively non-invasive techniques for measuring heat stress response in livestock managed in extensive grazing systems. / Doctor of Philosophy / Heat stress compromises animal welfare and productivity, causing > $2B annual economic loss to producers in the U.S. In the southeastern U.S, heat stress in livestock is largely due both to an environmental condition and to the effect of fescue toxicosis caused by toxic alkaloids. Various management strategies to mitigate the effect of heat stress in livestock due to environmental conditions or due to the effect of tall fescue toxicosis are explored in this dissertation. In the first study, behavioral and physiological responses of heifers that grazed either toxic (WE) or novel (NE) endophyte-infected tall fescue was compared. Heifers that grazed WE tall fescue had lower gains, rough hair coat, higher hair cortisol level (stress measure), cooler extremity temperature, and hotter intravaginal temperature compared to heifers that grazed NE tall fescue. These results suggest that heat stress and other physiological changes in heifers grazing WE tall fescue could be mitigated by renovating pastures with NE tall fescue, a forage cultivar that does not impose any negative physiological effects on grazing animals. In the second study, we tested the effect of condensed tannins in reducing the severity of fescue toxicosis in steers. We fed sericea lespedeza pellets to steers in a study to test this effect. All steers were fed sericea pellets, but pellets for half (6) of the steers were treated with polyethylene glycol, which inactivates the condensed tannins in the sericea lespedeza. In our study, we found that the steers fed the sericea lespedeza had higher temperatures at their extremities (ears and tail), but lower rectal temperatures than the control steers. Interestingly, the steers fed the sericea lespedeza pellets also had slicker hair coats and lower levels of hair cortisol (indicating reduced stress) in the second year compared to the control steers. This study showed some potential of condensed tannins in reducing the effects of fescue toxicosis, but needs further study to better understand the potential benefits of tannins in reducing the post-ingestive effects of fescue toxicosis. In the third study, we compared behavioral and physiological (temperature, hair, and blood cortisol) responses of ewes that grazed either mid-stage hardwood silvopastures or open pastures (OP). Ewes on OP showed signs of heat stress with higher hair cortisol levels and hotter intravaginal temperatures during the daytime compared to ewes on silvopasture treatments. Ewes on OP spent 400% more time standing compared to ewes on BSP and 750% more time standing than ewes on HSP. Ewe on OP spent 20% less time lying down compared to ewes on BSP and 33% less time lying down compared to ewes on HSP. Ewes on silvopasture treatments spent 70% less time drinking water compared to ewes on OP. Trees within the silvopasture systems can alter the micro climatic condition thus creating a suitable environment for livestock. This can ultimately reduce stress and improve overall behavioral and physiological responses of livestock in silvopastures compared to open pastures.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has great utility as a low maintenance turfgrass in the northern and transition zone regions of the United States. However, it is difficult to successfully maintain tall fescue of high quality over consecutive summers because of its susceptibility to the fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani, which causes the disease brown patch. Not only is brown patch aesthetically unpleasing in a stand of tall fescue but it can also thin out the turf and allow for the encroachment of undesirable weedy species. Cultivar selection, cultural practices, mixing turf species and timing of pesticide applications all can impact the epidemiology of brown patch in tall fescue. Research was conducted in tall fescue to quantify chitinase activity in different cultivars, elucidate the impact of mowing height and nitrogen fertility on brown patch and bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) encroachment, to evaluate seeding mixtures of tall fescue with hybrid bluegrass (Poa pratensis x Poa arachnifera) on diseases and weeds as well as measuring the impact of the herbicide bispyribac-sodium on brown patch. Chitinase activity was greater in the tall fescue cultivar that was less susceptible to brown patch. In the mowing-fertility studies, cutting tall fescue at 10 cm generally reduced brown patch and bermudagrass encroachment compared to 6 cm. Mixing hybrid bluegrass with tall fescue reduced disease and weed species infestations compared to tall fescue alone. Applying bispyribac-sodium earlier in April resulted in less brown patch and better weed control compared to application in May. Based on this research brown patch severity and subsequent weed species infestations can be reduced by selecting a tall fescue cultivar with a high basal level of chitinase, mowing it at 10 cm and mixing it with a hybrid bluegrass cultivar. / Ph. D.

In terms of acreage, forage is the number one crop in Virginia. The backbone of these forages has long been tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) S.J. Darbyshire). Knowledge of the plant species that make up a pasture and the relative amounts of each species present is important for interpreting potential animal performance. It is also important to know the relative amounts and types of weeds present and to monitor for the presence of poisonous plants or noxious weeds. An experiment was conducted in 2003 through 2005 to investigate botanical composition and yield of "Lakota" prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl.), "Kentucky 31" endophyte-infected (KY31 E+), endophyte-free (KY31 E-), and "Quantum" tall fescue (non toxic endophyte infected) under grazing by stocker steers. Forage botanical composition and yield were determined by clipping three 0.25-m2 areas per treatment replicate. Prior to harvesting, the canopy height within each quadrate was measured with a disc meter. In 2005, productive ground cover was assessed using visual evaluation techniques, point quadrat method, and digital imagery quantified with terrestrial remote sensing. Forages were established September 2002 and grazing was initiated in July of 2003. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with four replications. Averaged over the three years the yield of KY31E+ was higher (p<0.05) than all other treatments. Lakota prairie grass had lower (p<0.05) yields than both KY31 E+ and Quantum tall fescue, however no yields did not differ between Lakota prairie grass and KY31 E-. Our results showed a typical forage distribution curve for all the treatments. Early spring, summer, and fall productivity of Lakota prairie grass was less than all the fescues, thus did not extend the grazing season. Forage persistence was greatest for KY31 E+ and Quantum and lowest for Lakota when averaged over all years. Among sampling methods for ground cover, terrestrial remote sensing was the most accurate, compared with visual evaluation and point quadrat methods. For estimates of all yield indirect methods of assessment had high errors; however the plate meter calibrated by sward density seemed the least variable of the methods tested. / Master of Science

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) often becomes dormant in the hot summer months. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) has potential to supplement the limited carrying capacity of tall fescue in mid-summer. The objective of this study was to determine the seasonal dry matter distribution and quality of tall fescue and switchgrass as influenced by different harvest managements. Switchgrass and tall fescue were studied on a fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Ultic Hapludalf of the Duffield soil series at Blacksburg, VA during 1987 and 1988. Normal harvest management included harvests taken from the first growth in spring until mid to late August. Delayed management included harvests taken from regrowth after a hay crop in mid-May for tall fescue and early June for switchgrass until mid to late August. Three and four harvest intensities were imposed on tall fescue and switchgrass, respectively. Plots were harvested in 1989 to determine the accumulative influence of treatments. Yield, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and invitro dry matter digestibility were measured for each harvest of both species. Digestible yield and protein were calculated for each harvest. Clipping either switchgrass or tall fescue at any harvest intensity reduced potential yield compared to forage not clipped. Accumulated forage resulted in high yields but unsatisfactory quality. Delayed harvest management resulted in higher total yield than normal harvest management because of high hay yields. This study indicated that considerable overlap of forage production of tall fescue and switch grass occurred in late spring but abundant high quality switchgrass was available in midsummer when available tall fescue was low. Switchgrass warrants consideration in southwest Virginia as a solution to the problem of limited cool-season forage in midsummer. / Master of Science

In Virginia, tall fescue [(Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub,) formally known as Festuca arundinacea L.] can be found on more than 4 million ac of hay and pastureland. Two separate experiments were conducted at three different geographical locations over two growing seasons. The objective of Experiment 1 was to evaluate the influence of N sources and rates on yield and nutritive value of stockpiled tall fescue. Experiment 2 examined the effect of split spring and fall N applications at various rates on yield and nutritive value of tall fescue pastures. The first experiment was conducted at three locations (Blacksburg, Blackstone, and Steeles Tavern, VA) while the second experiment was conducted only at the Blacksburg and Steeles Tavern locations. In Experiment 1, the N sources included ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, urea, urea + Agrotain®, Environmentally Smart N® (ESN), Nutrisphere (NSN), Nitamin® (Blackstone only), pelleted biosolids (Blackstone only), and broiler litter (Steeles Tavern only) applied at 0, 28, 56, 84, and 112 kg plant available N (PAN) ha-1. Plots were harvested in mid-December (Blacksburg and Steeles Tavern) and late January (Blackstone). The yield of the stockpiled tall fescue in 2006 ranged from 1,300 to 2,900, 1,700 to 3,000, and 2,600 to 3,300 kg DM ha-1 for the Blacksburg, Steeles Tavern and Blackstone locations, respectively. In 2007, however, the yield response to N rate and sources was significantly less than that of 2006 due to low rainfall. At the Blacksburg location, ammonium sulfate and ESN resulted in higher CP concentrations, ranging from 11-14% and 12-20% for 2006 and 2007 growing seasons, respectively. Similar variation (12-20%) was observed for the Steeles Tavern location in 2006. In general, the ADF and NDF content decreased as N rate increased from 0-112 kg ha1. Although the source and rate that resulted in high yield and nutritive value varied across location and years, N rates and sources improved the quality and yield of stockpiled fescue. Experiment 2 utilized urea which was applied in the fall at the rates of 0, 45, 90 or 135 kg N ha-1. followed by spring application of 0, 45, 90 or 135 kg N ha-1. A total of 16 treatment combinations per replication were used. Yields ranged from 1,900 to 3,600 kg DM ha-1 and 700 to 2,500 kg DM ha-1 in 2007 and 2008, respectively. At the Steeles Tavern location, yields ranged from 3,100 to 5,700 kg DM ha-1 and 2,500 to 5,100 kg DM ha-1, in 2007 and 2008, respectively. In both years CP increased with increasing N fertilization. On a dry matter basis, CP values ranged from 14 to 23% for both years. Treatments did not affect on NDF and ADF values. Split fall/spring N applications did not maximize yield of cool-season grass pastures in these experiments. / Master of Science

My objectives were to determine if nutritional benefits occur when animals are offered foods with compounds -- alkaloids, saponins, and tannins - that are potentially complementary. I hypothesized that food intake and digestibility increase when lambs consume plants such as alfalfa ALF that contain saponins or birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) that contain tannins when the basal diet is endophyte-infected tall fescue (TF) or reed canarygrass (RCG) both of which contain alkaloids. I predicted that the nutritional status of lambs would be enhanced if basal diets of alkaloid-containing grasses were supplemented with ALF or BFT. Lambs fed a basal diet of either endophyte-infected TF or RCG ate more food and consequently digested more dry matter, energy and nitrogen when supplemented with ALF or BFT. Lambs ingested more dry matter and digested more nutrients when fed a basal diet of RCG than one of TF, and supplementing with ALF and BFT was more beneficial for lambs fed TF than for lambs fed RCG. Increased intake of digestible nutrients was due to greater intake when lambs were offered more than one food, not due to an increase in digestibility. In pen trials meant to complement the field trials, lambs were offered an alkaloid-containing (either gramine or 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine) total mixed ration and supplemented with a food that contained saponins or tannins. All rations were isocaloric (3.3Mcal/kg) and isonitrogenous (14% CP). Lambs fed a ration with either alkaloid and offered a food containing saponin digested approximately the same amount of dry matter, energy, nitrogen, and NDF as lambs not offered saponin. When lambs were fed a ration with either alkaloid and supplemented with food that contained tannins, tannin consumption adversely affected dry matter, energy, and NDF digestibility, but lambs offered food with tannins increased dry matter intake, and as a result, they digested the same amount of dry matter, energy, and NDF as lambs not offered the food with tannins. Lambs offered tannin digested and retained more nitrogen than lambs not offered tannin. These findings indicate a nutritional advantage for sheep eating mixtures as opposed to monocultures of foods with different profiles of secondary compounds and nutrients.

La luzerne est une légumineuse fourragère pérenne qui présente de nombreux avantages agronomiques et environnementaux. La performance des associations luzerne - graminées est conditionnée par la production de biomasse et la teneur en protéines de chaque espèce et sa survie. L’effet de la variabilité génétique de la luzerne sur les composantes du rendement dans les associations est mal connu. Dans ce contexte, cette thèse a deux objectifs : i) caractériser la diversité génétique pour les caractères liés à la production et à la qualité de la luzerne dans l’association ii) analyser le contrôle génétique de ces caractères. Deux dispositifs comprenant trois traitements (mélange luzerne-fétuque, monoculture et isolé) ont été mis en place. Le premier comprenant 46 génotypes contrastés de luzerne a été phénotypé sur deux ans pour l’architecture, la biomasse et la concentration en protéines. Le deuxième composé d’une population F1 de 198 individus, a été phénotypé sur une année. Cette population F1 a été génotypée avec des marqueurs SSR et DArT pour établir une carte génétique. Une large variation génétique entre les génotypes de luzerne a été montrée. Cette variation affecte la hauteur et la teneur en protéines de la fétuque associée. On a observé que les caractères mesurés en isolé ou en monoculture sont relativement prédictifs des mêmes caractères en mélange, mais une évaluation des génotypes en mélange reste indispensable. La détection de QTL montre que certains QTL sont communs aux différents traitements. Chaque QTL explique de 6 à 23% de la variation observée pour la hauteur et la biomasse. Des pistes méthodologiques pour la sélection sont envisagées. / Alfalfa is a perennial forage legume that has many agronomic and environmental benefits. The performance of alfalfa - grass mixtures depends on biomass production and protein content of each species and its survival. The effect of genetic variation on alfalfa yield components in mixtures is little described. In this context, this thesis has two objectives: i) to characterize the genetic diversity for traits related to alfalfa production and quality in mixture ii) to analyze the genetic control of these traits. Two designs that included three treatments (alfalfa - fescue mixture, monoculture and spaced plants) were established. The first design comprised 46 contrasting alfalfa genotypes which were phenotyped over two years for architecture, biomass and protein concentration. The second design comprised an F1 population of 198 individuals being phenotyped over one year. The F1 population was genotyped with SSR and DArT markers to construct a genetic map. A wide genetic variation among alfalfa genotypes was shown. This variation affected the height and protein content of associated fescue. It was observed that the measured traits of spaced plants or in monoculture are relatively predictive of the same traits in the mixture, but genotype evaluation in mixture is required. QTL detection shows that some QTL were common to different treatments. Each QTL explained 6-23 % of the variation for height and biomass. Some methodologies for selection are proposed.

Rising fertilizer prices have led a return to the use of grass-legume mixtures to reduce N costs and improve pasture productivity. The objective of this study was to determine optimal species combinations of binary grass-legume mixtures to improve forage production and pasture nutritive value in irrigated pastures of the Intermountain West. The study was conducted at the Utah State University Intermountain Pature Research Facility near Lewiston, UT. Tall Fescue (TF), Orchardgrass (OG), and meadow brome (MB) were grown with alfalfa (ALF), birdsfoot trefoil (BFTF), and cicer milkvetch (CMV) in legume-grass mixes and monocultures at planting ratios of 25:75, 50:50, 75:25. Grass monocultures were fertilized with 0 (0 N), 67 (67 N), or 134 kg N ha-1 (134 N). Forage was harvested four times each season during 2011-2012. Forage of the mixtures and monocultures from the first and third harvests was analyzed for crude protein (CP) and neutral-detergent fiber (NDF). Average forage production of the unfertilized TF, MB, and OG monocultures was 11.03, 9.76, and 8.10 Mg ha-1, respectively. TF-ALF, OG-ALF, and MB-ALF grass-legume mixes averaged 24.0, 35.0, and 41.0% higher forage production than their respective unfertilized grass monocultures. The grass-legume mixtures with the highest CP were MB-ALF 159, TF-ALF 159, and TF-OG-159 g kg-1 and average 59, 43 and 51% higher than their respective unfertilized grass monocultures. Likewise, the mixtures with the lowest NDF were OG-ALF 453 g kg-1, OG-BFTF 469 g kg-1, and MB-ALF 480 g kg-1. These mixtures had 10, 7, and 18% lower NDF than their respective unfertilized grass monocultures. Individual harvests had similarly higher yields and CP, with lower NDF for the mixtures than the unfertilized grass monocultures. The grass-legume mixture with the 50:50 planting ratio were most productive and had high forage quality. The grass-legume mixtures had similar forage production as the grass monocultures at 134 kg N ha-1. The grass-legume mixtures also had higher CP and lower NDF than the grass monocultures. Cicer milkvetch did not perform well in irrigated pastures. Grass-legume mixtures with ALF and BFTF can be used to replace commercial N while increasing forage nutritive value.