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5. (a) The diagram below is of a generalised grass plant - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 5 - 2007
Question 5
5. (a) The diagram below is of a generalised grass plant. Name the parts labelled A, B, C and D as shown on the diagram. (b) Discuss two advantages of including gra... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5. (a) The diagram below is of a generalised grass plant - Leaving Cert Agricultural Science - Question 5 - 2007
Step 1
Step 2
Discuss two advantages of including grass as a crop in an arable crop rotation.
Answer
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Soil Health Improvement: Grass crops help improve soil structure, enhance soil organic matter, and aid in moisture retention. This can lead to improved overall soil fertility, encouraging better crop yields in subsequent planting cycles.
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Weed and Pest Management: Including grass in a rotation can help control weeds and reduce the incidence of certain pests and diseases, allowing for healthier crops in the following planting season.
Step 3
Describe the characteristics of a grass plant at the ideal stage of growth for grazing.
Answer
The ideal stage for grazing typically features:
- Leafy Structure: The grass should be lush and leafy, ensuring optimal nutrient content.
- High Protein and Digestibility: Young grass is generally high in protein and easily digestible, making it suitable for livestock.
- Not Flowering: The grass should be before the flowering stage, as nutrition tends to decrease once flowering begins.
- Appropriate Height: Grass should also indicate a suitable length which is generally quite short, promoting tender growth ideal for grazing.
Step 4
Compare the feeding quality of silage (cut in May) and hay (cut in July). Give typical values to illustrate your answer.
Answer
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Dry Matter Content: Silage typically has a lower dry matter content (around 20-25%) compared to hay (70-80%).
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Protein Levels: Silage generally contains higher protein levels, estimated at 14-18%, while hay tends to have around 10%.
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Digestibility: Silage is higher in Digestibility Measure (DMD), with estimates of 70% versus hay’s 60%.
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Fiber Content: Silage has lower fiber content, typically around 30% in hay.
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Metabolizable Energy: Silage contains about 10 MJ/kg, whereas hay may have about 9 MJ/kg.