The Team

Dariusz P. Malinowski– Project Leader

Bryan Hope, Research Technician

The Goal

Hatch Project TEX08846 (2012 – 2017): Pasture Management Strategies to Optimize Year-Round Forage Production in the Semi-Arid Environments of the Texas Rolling Plains

The long-term objective of the Forage Program is to optimize year-round forage production based on dual-purpose wheat and other small grains, cool-season perennial grasses, warm-season perennial and annual grasses, annual legumes and alfalfa in semi-arid environments of the Texas Rolling Plains.This objective is being pursued by investigating forage plant responses to defoliation stress, prolonged drought, and competition from other species.Understanding mechanisms of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses will help select productive and persistent species and varieties, minimize costs of forage production, and maximize return to the farmers.

Current Research Projects

Grasses

• Summer-dormant cool-season perennial grasses – A new source of winter-active and persistent forages for semi-arid environments of the Southern Great Plains
• Effects of Neotyphodium spp. fungal endophytes on abiotic stress tolerance of summer-dormant tall fescue
• Physiological mechanisms of overwintering in sorghum
• Sustainable production of cellulosic biomass with attention to natural resource conservation and wildlife stewardship

Legumes

• Annual cool-season legumes as components of summer-dormant cool-season grass pastures
• Management practices of alfalfa/summer-dormant tall fescue mixed pastures

Dual-Use Wheat

• Physiological and morphological bases for breeding dual-purpose wheat cultivars with improved forage production
• Effects of environmental variables and wheat forage biochemistry on bloat incidences in grazing cattle