ABSTRACT
Summary Experiments were conducted to assess interseeding small grains by no-till methods in dormant Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon [L.] Pers.) for forage, silage, grain, or beef production. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was interseeded in Coastal bermudagrass (CBG) sod. Grain yields of 1,695 kg/ha reduced CBG yields 14%, and silage yields of 6.7 tons/ha resulted in a 5% reduction in CBG yield. The nitrogen (N) requirements for tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. L.) or rye (Secale cereale L.) interseeded in dormant CBG for 90% of maximum yield were similar at 166 and 175 kg N/ha, while that of rye aerially sown in soybeans at 10% leaf drop of soybeans was 99 kg N/ha. In each of 5 years, rye was no-till interseeded in each of two 1.7-ha dormant CBG Helds in late October or early November and compared with tall fescue or rye after soybeans. Nitrogen was applied to each field in mid-November and in late January. Each 1.7-ha pasture was stocked with 7 steers for 140 days from early January through late May. Rye interseeded in dormant CBG sods produced 3,000 to 4,000 kg dry matter (DM)/ha/yr rye forage or 320 kg beef gain/ha/yr over a 140-day grazing period. This steer gain was 58% better than steer gains on tall fescue over the same 5-year period. Interseeding small grains for forage, grain, or beef production effectively increased use of land and climatic resources in the southern Piedmont while enhancing soil and water conservation.
