Background:This study used an online survey to explore the perspectives,practices and knowledge gaps of Irish farmers regarding the adoption of multispecies swards(MSS),a sustainable alternative to traditional monocul...Background:This study used an online survey to explore the perspectives,practices and knowledge gaps of Irish farmers regarding the adoption of multispecies swards(MSS),a sustainable alternative to traditional monoculture grassland systems.With ruminant livestock production being central to global agricultural gross domestic product and Ireland's reliance on grassbased systems,MSS offer potential benefits for productivity,sustainability and environmental impact.However,farm-level data on MSS adoption are limited.Methods:An adapted version of Rogers'Innovation Decision Process model was used to examine farmers'awareness,adoption drivers,perceived benefits,barriers and knowledge needs related to MSS.Results:Among 200 Irish farmers surveyed between October 2023 and March 2024,93%were aware of MSS and 57%had adopted it.Reported benefits included improved biodiversity,soil health,drought resilience and reduced nitrogen use,with 91%of adopters lowering fertiliser inputs.Key barriers were difficulties with establishment,grazing management,weed control and uncertainty about seed mixtures.Farmers expressed a need for more guidance on persistence and management and preferred learning via open days and discussion groups.Conclusions:The findings highlight the need for tailored support to facilitate MSS adoption.Future initiatives should prioritise peer learning,demonstration farms and practical guidance on establishment and grazing.展开更多
Background:More frequent and severe drought events due to climate change pose a major challenge for sustainable forage production in managed grasslands.This study investigated whether multispecies grassland communitie...Background:More frequent and severe drought events due to climate change pose a major challenge for sustainable forage production in managed grasslands.This study investigated whether multispecies grassland communities can provide greater resistance to and/or recovery from drought compared to monoculture communities.Methods:Mesocosms of Lolium perenne L.,Cichorium intybus L.,Trifolium repens L.and Trifolium pratense L.were established as monocultures,and a four-species mixture.A drought gradient with five levels of water supply ranging from a mild to a severe treatment was applied for 10 weeks,in each of 2 years.Shoot biomass was harvested to assess drought resistance,drought recovery and annual yields.Root mass density and specific root length were measured in Year 2.Results:Across the drought gradient,four-species communities had significantly larger annual yields than each of the four monocultures,indicating transgressive overyielding.This was despite relatively low drought resistance for four-species communities compared with L.perenne and C.intybus monocultures.Recovery of yields following drought was high for all communities.Conclusions:Multispecies swards with complementary traits can provide a viable adaptation option across a wide range of drought severities.Application of a stress gradient methodology allowed a more detailed understanding of stress responses.展开更多
基金Department of Agriculture,Environment and Rural Affairs,UK Government,Grant/Award Numbers:2021R456,Multi4MoreDepartment of Agriculture,Food and the Marine,Ireland,Grant/Award Numbers:2021R456,Multi4More。
文摘Background:This study used an online survey to explore the perspectives,practices and knowledge gaps of Irish farmers regarding the adoption of multispecies swards(MSS),a sustainable alternative to traditional monoculture grassland systems.With ruminant livestock production being central to global agricultural gross domestic product and Ireland's reliance on grassbased systems,MSS offer potential benefits for productivity,sustainability and environmental impact.However,farm-level data on MSS adoption are limited.Methods:An adapted version of Rogers'Innovation Decision Process model was used to examine farmers'awareness,adoption drivers,perceived benefits,barriers and knowledge needs related to MSS.Results:Among 200 Irish farmers surveyed between October 2023 and March 2024,93%were aware of MSS and 57%had adopted it.Reported benefits included improved biodiversity,soil health,drought resilience and reduced nitrogen use,with 91%of adopters lowering fertiliser inputs.Key barriers were difficulties with establishment,grazing management,weed control and uncertainty about seed mixtures.Farmers expressed a need for more guidance on persistence and management and preferred learning via open days and discussion groups.Conclusions:The findings highlight the need for tailored support to facilitate MSS adoption.Future initiatives should prioritise peer learning,demonstration farms and practical guidance on establishment and grazing.
基金FP7 Food,Agriculture and Fisheries,Biotechnology,Grant/Award Number:266018。
文摘Background:More frequent and severe drought events due to climate change pose a major challenge for sustainable forage production in managed grasslands.This study investigated whether multispecies grassland communities can provide greater resistance to and/or recovery from drought compared to monoculture communities.Methods:Mesocosms of Lolium perenne L.,Cichorium intybus L.,Trifolium repens L.and Trifolium pratense L.were established as monocultures,and a four-species mixture.A drought gradient with five levels of water supply ranging from a mild to a severe treatment was applied for 10 weeks,in each of 2 years.Shoot biomass was harvested to assess drought resistance,drought recovery and annual yields.Root mass density and specific root length were measured in Year 2.Results:Across the drought gradient,four-species communities had significantly larger annual yields than each of the four monocultures,indicating transgressive overyielding.This was despite relatively low drought resistance for four-species communities compared with L.perenne and C.intybus monocultures.Recovery of yields following drought was high for all communities.Conclusions:Multispecies swards with complementary traits can provide a viable adaptation option across a wide range of drought severities.Application of a stress gradient methodology allowed a more detailed understanding of stress responses.
