Chemical Quality, in Vitro Cellulose Digestion, and Yield of Tall Fescue Forage Affected by Mefluidide

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb. “Ky 31”) was treated with mefluidide at 0 and 0.28 kg/ha on April 1, April 15, April 29, or May 13 in 1976. Forage was sampled through Aug 9, and dry matter yields were obtained 2 weeks after application and on Sept 15. The April 29 and May 13 treatments had lowered cellulose content through July 8 and Aug 9, respectively. All treatments of mefluidide except the April 1 treatment increased crude protein content on Aug 9. In vitro cellulose digestion was increased (P < 0.05) and may be related to increased crude protein and decreased cellulose content. Dry matter yield was reduced (P < 0.05) only at 2 weeks after the April 1 and April 15 applications. Mefluidide treatments made between April 1 and May 13 enhanced forage quality. Data indicate that mefluidide affects tall fescue quality longer than previous considered.