This study aims to contribute to resolving the critical issue of weed management in newly established alfalfa fields, study has been conducted on effective herbicide use. The study evaluated the impact of various domestically available foliar herbicides on alfalfa phytotoxicity, weed control, yield, and nutritive value. The experiment was designed in a randomized complete block design with four treatments. Alfalfa 'SW 5615' seeded in the spring of 2024 on a 1 ha field (March 18), with herbicide treatments including fluazifop-P-butyl (FPB), bentazone (BEN), and a mixture of these herbicides (MIX). Herbicide efficacy, alfalfa yield, and nutritive value were assessed 30 days post-application. Results indicated that the MIX treatment achieved superior weed control comparable to hand weeding (HW), although it exhibited higher phytotoxicity, requiring extended recovery periods. While MIX led to lower overall yield, it enhanced alfalfa purity, resulting in higher crude protein (CP) content and relative feed value (RFV) compared to other treatments. The study concludes that despite the potential for increased phytotoxicity, mixed herbicide treatments could offer a strategic advantage in enhancing the quality of alfalfa feed through effective weed management, thereby improving CP and RFV, critical factors for the nutritional value of alfalfa. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing weed management practices in alfalfa cultivation, suggesting that mixed herbicide application, although associated with increased phytotoxicity on the plants, could improve the overall feed quality by reducing weed competition.

Due to climate change and the expansion of cultivation areas through the use of reclaimed land, changes in the selection of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) varieties are anticipated. This study was conducted to compare the growth characteristics before overwintering, productivity, and feed value of eight Italian ryegrass varieties with different maturing stages under the same cultivation conditions. The variety 'Lm4ho', a medium-maturing type, showed superior growth characteristics before overwintering, including plant height, leaf length, and leaf width. The heading date was advanced in all varieties, with a greater degree of advancement observed in varieties with earlier heading dates. When harvested at the heading stage of the early-maturing types, the dry matter yield of the medium-maturing types was not significantly different from that of the early-maturing types. However, when harvested at the heading stage of the medium-maturing types, the dry matter yield was higher than that of the early-maturing types. Specifically, 'Lm4ho' produced 2,518 kg/ha more than 'Kowinearly'. The late-maturing variety IR901 and the medium-maturing varieties 'Lm4ho' and 'Kowinmaster' showed statistically superior dry matter yields. In terms of forage value, including crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and relative feed value (RFV), the medium- and late-maturing types outperformed the early-maturing types. Notably, 'Lm4ho', 'IR 901', and 'Hwasan 104' were evaluated as suitable varieties for high-quality forage production. These results suggest that medium-maturing varieties may be suitable for double cropping in the central regions due to climate change. We propose that future breeding of Italian ryegrass should expand from focusing on cold tolerance and early-maturing varieties to include medium- and late-maturing varieties that consider both productivity and quality.

Sorghum-Sudangrass hybrids (SSH) is a grass cereal hybrid crop with a high yield potential under different climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth characteristics, dry matter yield and nutrient content of the SSH cultivars such as Dairy Mens Dream, Superdan and Supergreen from 2021 to 2023 in Jeju Island, Korea. Among the three cultivars, Superdan grew significantly taller with a larger stem diameter at both harvest times. In contrast, Dairy Mens Dream had least height and less stem diameter, but the dry matter yield was greater for Dairy Mens Dream than other cultivars. Furthermore, the crude protein content at the first cut was higher than 8.5% compared to the second cut (6.5 - 7.0%). The neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content was higher in the second harvest of all cultivars compared to the first harvest of SSH in 2021. The SSH cultivation in 2021 and 2023 had higher ADF and NDF content than in 2022, possibly due to the average precipitation and optimum temperature suitable for SSH production in 2021 and 2023. The selected three SSH cultivars showed significant growth characteristics, dry matter content, and nutritional value. The overall data suggested that all three SSH showed significant productivity and nutritional content in the Jeju region of sub-tropical climatic condition.

Italian ryegrass (IRG) has become a vital forage crop due to its increasing cultivation area and its role in enhancing forage self-sufficiency. However, its production is susceptible to environmental factors such as climate change and drought, necessitating precise yield prediction technologies. This study aimed to assess the growth characteristics of IRG and predict dry matter yield (DMY) using vegetation indices derived from unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based remote sensing. The Green Leaf Index (GLI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference red edge (NDRE), and optimized soil-adjusted vegetation index (OSAVI) were employed to develop DMY estimation models. Among the indices, GLI demonstrated the highest correlation with DMY (R² = 0.971). The results revealed that GLI-based UAV observations can serve as reliable tools for estimating forage yield under varying environmental conditions. Additionally, post-winter vegetation coverage in the study area was assessed using GLI, and 54% coverage was observed in March 2023. This study assesses that UAV-based remote sensing can provide high-precision predictions of crop yield, thus contributing to the stabilization of forage production under climate variability.

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of seeding dates on the growth characteristics, dry matter yield and mineral contents of rye cultivated in the paddy field. The field experiment was conceived as a randomized block design performed in triplicate with seeding dates of October 19 (T1), October (T2), November 2 (T3), November 9 (T4), and November 16 (T5). All treatments was harvested on May 22 of the following year. Plant length, stem diameter, dry matter yield, and total digestible nutrient (TDN) yield were higher in rye with early seeding dates (p<0.05), whereas TDN was higher with late seeding dates (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between crude protein and ether extract among the different seeding dates. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were higher with early seeding dates (p<0.05). K and Ca contents were significantly higher at T1 as compared to other treatments (T2, T3, T4 and T5). There was no significant difference in Mg and Na content among T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 treatments. P content was higher in the order T1 > T2 > T3 > T4 > T5 (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in free sugar contents (glucose, fructose and sucrose) by treatments, whereas total free sugar content was the highest in T1 than in the other treatments (p<0.05). Collectively, the results obtained in this study indicate that it is favorable to seed (T1 and T2) soon after harvesting rice to increase dry matter, TDN yield and total free sugar content of rye in the midlands of Korea.

Corn is essential for both humans and animals. The crop is the third most important food crop after rice and wheat. A rise in farming is resulting in a lack of self-sufficiency of high quality forages. Therefore, corn cultivars in Korea must be optimized to increase productivity and yield. A study was conducted in Pyeongchang, South Korea between 2021-2022 to evaluate the characteristics and productivity of three corn cultivars: Kwangpyeongok, AGR 41, and Nero IT. Different varieties of corn were sown in Pyeongchang on April 29 and April 27 of 2021 and 2022, respectively. The productivity and characteristics of the cultivars Kwangpyeongok, AGR 41, and Nero IT were evaluated during the yellowing ripening stage. The characteristics included the leaves, stems, grain, and stover content. Across different corn cultivars, there was no significant difference in stem height, diameter, forage or grain quantity based on an average of two years. Yet, significant differences were noted in the stem heights of all cultivars between 2021 and 2022 (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the diameters of Kwangpyeongok and Nero IT between 2021 and 2022. A significant difference in forage yield was observed for Nero IT between 2021 and 2022. The yield of grains and forages was higher in 2021 than in 2022, which could be attributed to temperature and precipitation variations. We can conclude from these data that all cultivars in Pyeongchang showed significant productivity and yield, which could be useful to produce nutrient rich silage for livestock.

The alfalfa weevil (Hypera postica) is an important pest that causes significant damages to alfalfa crops, reducing yield and quality, but there's a solution. This research had two main goals to evaluate the efficacy of insecticides available in Korea for alfalfa weevil control and to provide data for pest management studies. The experiment, conducted from 2023 to 2024 at the National Institute of Animal Science in Cheonan, Republic of Korea, included four treatment plots: control (CON), early-occurrence (EAR), mid-occurrence (MID), and late-occurrence (LAT). It also included two frequency plots with primary and secondary insecticide using 50% fenitrothion emulsion, which made it truly comprehensive study. The primary insecticide was applied at the first observation of the alfalfa weevil larvae, with subsequent secondary applications at specified intervals. The results showed that two-times insecticide applications significantly reduced larvae populations and increased yield and nutrient content compared to a single application. Specifically, control rates ranged from 94 to 94.7% on the third day after treatment and from 72.2 to 93.4% on the seventh day. Plots with two applications had higher yields and crude protein content. The study concluded that the timing and frequency of insecticide applications are critical to maximizing alfalfa yield and quality, emphasizing the importance of optimized application strategies for effective pest control.

A new variety of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), named 'Alfaking' was developed between 2015 and 2023 at the Grassland and Forages Division, National Institute of Animal Science, Rural Development Administration, Cheonan, Republic of Korea. The variety was produced through artificial hybridization, with 'Paravivo' serving as the maternal line and 'WL514' as the paternal line. 'Alfaking' underwent field tests across four regions (Cheonan, Pyeongchang, Jeongeup, and Jinju) to evaluate its agronomic characteristics and forage production over two years (2022-2023). The dry matter yield of 'Alfaking' reached 22,516 kg/ha, which is 11% higher than the control variety, 'Vernal.' 'Alfaking' exhibited 2.1% higher crude protein content than 'Vernal' in forage nutritive value. The development of this new alfalfa variety, which exhibits excellent adaptability to challenging environmental conditions, is expected to enhance forage cultivation and productivity in Korea.

This study investigates the role of the NAC transcription factor ANAC032 in regulating abscisic acid (ABA)-dependent stress responses and its involvement in sugar signaling pathways. Arabidopsis seedlings with overexpressed or knock-out ANAC032 were examined for their sensitivity to ABA, glucose, and fluridone to elucidate the functional role of ANAC032 in ABA and high glucose-mediated growth retardation. Our results showed that ANAC032 negatively regulates ABA responses, as ANAC-overexpressing plants exhibited higher ABA sensitivity, while anac032 mutants were less sensitive. Under high glucose conditions, anac032 mutants demonstrated hyposensitivity, with germination rates higher than wild-type and ANAC032-overexpressing plants. Additionally, yeast two-hybrid screening identified three NAC proteins, ANAC020, ANAC064, and ANAC074, interact with ANAC032. These findings highlight ANAC032's role in stress signaling pathways and its potential interactions with other NAC proteins, contributing to a better understanding of transcriptional regulation in plant stress responses and possibly expanding to forage crop development.

Drought is one of the environmental factors inhibiting plant productivity and growth, leading to oxidative damage. This study aims to identify the role of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) as a hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) donor in drought stress tolerance in Brassica napus. Drought-induced stress symptoms appeared eight days after treatment, showing wilted leaves and a significant reduction of leaf water potential. Drought-induced increase of lipid peroxidation was significantly reduced by NaHS application. NaHS-treated plants mitigated stress symptoms under drought conditions by reducing hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content, confirmed with H₂O₂ localization in situ. Furthermore, NaHS promotes photosynthetic activity by maintaining chlorophyll and carotenoid content, thereby supporting plant growth under drought conditions. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate and proline contents were significantly increased by drought but further enhanced by NaHS treatment, indicating the important roles of proline accumulation in drought stress tolerance. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insight into the roles of NaHS in alleviating drought stress by reducing oxidative stress and promoting proline accumulation. Therefore, NaHS may serve as an effective strategy to enhance crop production under drought-stress conditions.

Drought stress is one of the major factors that reduce plant growth and productivity. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of exogenous acetic acid pretreatment on drought stress tolerance response in plants. Fourteen-day-old alfalfa plants were pretreated with 15 mM acetic acid, and then subsequently subjected to drought stress for 6 days. The fresh weight and relative water content in the leaves of acetic acid pretreated alfalfa plants were increased compared to the control group. The chlorophyll and carotenoid contents were slightly decreased in the acetic acid treatment. The H₂O₂ and proline contents were also significantly decreased in the acetic acid treatment. These results suggest that the scavenging mechanism of reactive oxygen species in alfalfa activated by acetic acid pretreatment is involved in conferring tolerance to drought stress.

Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is one of the most widely grown winter forage crops in Korea, but its yields are known to be greatly affected by drought that occur frequently in spring. This study aimed to compare the growth and tolerance response characteristics to drought stress in several Italian ryegrass varieties cultivated in Korea. Twenty-day-old Italian ryegrass was subjected to drought treatment for 4 days, and then the growth and physiological responses of the plants were compared. Drought stress reduced leaf length, fresh weight, and dry weight in all Italian ryegrass varieties compared to the control. In addition, chlorophyll content was significantly decreased in all varieties treated with drought stress, but Fv/Fm was significantly decreased only in Winter hawk. For H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents, Winter hawk showed the highest increase and New dawn showed the least increase. In terms of relative water content (RWC), New dawn showed the least decrease and Winter hawk showed the greatest decrease. These results indicate that New dawn is relatively drought-tolerant and Winter hawk is a drought-sensitive variety, indicating that each variety of Italian ryegrass has different drought tolerance mechanisms, which may provide basic insight for the development of tolerant varieties in the future.