Search

Festucetum vaginatae Rapaics ex Soó 1929 em. Borhidi 1996 is a characteristic association of the calcareous sandy areas of the Pannonian basin; its dominant grass species is Festuca vaginata. Another typical species of these sandy areas is the newly discovered F. pseudovaginata. The question is whether F. pseudovaginata forms an independent coenotaxa? Our study proved that F. vaginata and F. pseudovaginata populations grow separately and compose different associations. Stands dominated by F. pseudovaginata had a higher species richness and harboured twice as many Festuco-Brometea species compared to the Festucetum vaginatae stands. Diagnostic species of the Festucetum pseudovaginatae association are Festuca pseudovaginata, Colchicum arenarium, Ephedra distachya, Koeleria majoriflora, and Astragalus onobrychis. The number of species, the density of the individuals, and the variability and diversity of the vegetation separated it from the Festucetum vaginatae association; thus, it can be considered an independent endemic association. Festucetum pseudovaginatae has its own differentiating and dominant species: Carex stenophylla, Cynodon dactylon, Eryngium campestre, Kochia laniflora.

Organisms with different life histories are able to act as indicators of different characteristics of their environment. Here, we compared the precision of habitat indication by the vegetation and soil microbial communities in four salt-affected pastures: annual open salt sward, Pannonic Puccinellia limosa hollow, Artemisia saline puszta and grassy saline puszta. Dissimilarity of habitats was evaluated by standardized principal component analysis (PCA) based on four different datasets: catabolic profiles of microbial communities in June (a) and September (b), composition of vascular vegetation (c) and physical and chemical properties of the soil (d). Procrustes analysis was used to quantify the resemblance between pairs of PCA ordinations based on soil properties (d) and various biotic communities (a, b, c). PCA ordination based on vegetation most closely matched the soil data-based ordination, thus vegetation appears to better indicate habitat conditions than soil microbial communities do. For microbial communities, a better agreement with the soil data-based ordination was reached in September than in June. Most probably, the long-lived sedentary habit of perennial plants in these communities requires adaptation to long-term average habitat conditions. In contrast, short-lived soil microbes can quickly follow environmental changes, thus the composition of soil microbial communities better reflect actual soil conditions.

Research highlights: In the present survey we examined the sandy grasslands appearing in the steppe-forest-steppe vegetation in the central part of the Carpathian Basin along the Danube. Background and objectives: We aimed to answer the following questions: Is it possible to build a picture of the past form of the vegetation through the examination of these vegetation units based on dominant grass taxa? Is Festuca wagneri an element of open grasslands or steppes? According to our hypothesis, these surveys can help reveal the original or secondary woody, shrubby patches through clarifying dominant taxa. Materials and Methods: We studied the grasslands in terms of coenology, putting great emphasis on the dominant Festuca taxa. Based on our preliminary surveys and literature, three vegetation types can be separated based on one single dominant Festuca taxon in each. The survey was conducted in four different locations in the Carpathian Basin. The cover of dominant grass species was used as an indicator value. The pedological background was also examined. Results: F. vaginata grassland is an open vegetation type based on its coenosystematic composition and ecological values. It grows in very weakly developed calcareous soil with sandy texture, with its lowest and highest organic carbon content ranging from 0.2% to 11.3% (0.2%), and the highest carbonate content (11.3%). Where the grasslands were disturbed, F. pseudovaginata and the recently discovered F. tomanii appeared. These taxa were also found in forest patches. The soil under F. pseudovaginata was more developed, in the surface horizon with higher organic carbon content (1.1%) and lower carbonate content (6.9%). The soil profile under F. wagneri developed the most, as the presence of deep and humus rich soil material from deflation and degradation showed. Conclusions: the dominant Festuca taxa of these vegetation types are good indicators of the changes in the vegetation and their ecological background.

Research Highlights: We examined the vegetation appearing in forest-steppes in the Pannon region. In the present survey taxonomical relations of the dominant Festuca species were examined. Background and Objectives: After deforestation and shrubcutting bare soil patches exposed to anthropogenous effects provided an opportunity for new vegetation to form. Materials and Methods: Inflorescence parameters and micromorphological characters of the leaves were examined in a new taxon and compared with two, presumably closely related, species of the genus Festuca L. Festuca tomanii Korneck &amp, T.Gregor, with silvery leaf surface, Festuca vaginata W. K. and Festuca pseudovaginata Penksza were compared based on 24 traits of the inflorescence and their leaf anatomy studied on leaf cross-sections. Moreover, leaf micromorphological features were compared using a stereomicroscope, a scanning electron microscope completed with Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy measurements and phytolith analysis method to establish the taxonomic applications of the micromorphological characters of the epidermis. Results: The awns of the lemma of Festuca tomanii were shown to be longer than those of the two other species. Festuca vaginata and Festuca pseudovaginata specimen showed low variability in inflorescence parameters but inflorescence characters were not uniform because the panicle of Festuca tomanii individuals was found to be bigger in the northern part than the panicles originating from the southern part of the sampled area. The phytolith assemblages of the Festuca pseudovaginata and Festuca tomanii differ from the Festuca vaginata in the abundance of ELONGATE SINUATE phytolith morphotype. Conclusions: we confirmed the appearance of F. vaginata in natural grasslands and discovered new occurrences of F. pseudovaginata and F. tomanii. F. pseudovaginata inhabits only the Pannon region, we found endemic and natural stands of it, but in its secondary habitats it was confirmed as a completely new species. Furthermore, taxa of disturbed vegetations are currently being examined. These habitats are potential hotspots of speciation.

When an artificial surface (e.g. an asphalt road) reflects strongly and horizontally polarized light as water bodies do in the nature, polarotactic aquatic insects, like the creek-dwelling Ephemera danica mayflies easily become deceived. After swarming above the creek surface, E. danica females begin their upstream compensatory flight and can be deflected at bridges with an asphalt road and continue their flight above the road surface. Thus, the water-mimicking optical signal of the road may deceive water-seeking polarotactic mayflies and lead them to distant, polarized-light-polluting surfaces, which elicit anomalous oviposition. On an asphalt road crossing a creek, we deployed polarizing insect traps at different distances from the bridge. The traps captured E. danica mayflies and their catch numbers indicated that these mayflies originated from the direction of the bridge, proving that they followed the track of the road. Our results suggest that distant polarized-light-polluting objects along an asphalt road can trap mayflies emerging from a creek crossing the road. The combination of an asphalt road and a man-made in situ (local) polarizing surface forms a complex ecological trap, being capable of luring aquatic insects from greater distances. To eliminate the oviposition of dangered polarotactic aquatic insects emerging from a creek onto the asphalt road crossing the creek, we suggest to deploy strongly and horizontally polarizing water-filled black trays along the edge of the road during the swarming period. Thus, the eggs of the deceived insects can be moved back to the creek in order to assist the conservation of the offspring-generation.

The taxonomic value of phytolith assemblages and their degree of variability within different species of the same genus is still an undervalued issue in the botanical range of phytolith studies. However the understanding of grass phytolith variance and its implications to plant systematics is doubtless.In the present study phytoliths of the lateral shoots (leaves) of nine, globally distributed Poa species (Pooideae – Poaceae) are described. Phytoliths were recovered from Poa specimens by the dry ashing technique. Altogether 6223 disarticulated phytoliths were counted (approximately 500–700 phytoliths per species) in 54 plant samples, which cover six shoots of nine species. Not only the relative frequency of each morphotype was calculated, but measurements were conducted to determine the biogenic silica content of Poa lateral shoots. A phytolith reference collection for the nine selected species of a worldwide importance was also compiled. The description of the most significant phytolith morphotypes and their taxonomic relationships are given here.Results suggest that the biogenic silica content of the Poa lateral shoots was determined to be relatively high within all nine species. Phytolith assemblage data was subjected to multivariate statistical analyses (e.g., CA and PCA) in order to find differences and similarities among the nine Poa species. Results show that the two closely related Poa of the P. pratensis species group, namely the P. pratensis and P. angustifolia, only slightly differ from the other Poa species if we consider their rondel-trapeziform short cells (SC) phytolith frequencies.

Timing of flowering is a critical component of community assembly, but how plant traits respond to heterogeneity of resources has been identified mostly through observations of spatial variations. Thus, we performed a trait-based phenological study in sub-Mediterranean grasslands to assess the importance of temporal variation of resources in the species assemblage processes. We found that early flowering species have traits allowing for slow resource acquisition and storage but rapid growth rate. Instead, mid- and late-flowering species exhibited sets of strategies devoted to minimizing water loss by evapotranspiration or aimed at maximizing the species’ competitive ability, thanks to slow growth rate and more efficient resource acquisition, conservation and use. Our findings were consistent with the fluctuation niche theory. We observed that the amplitude of the environmental fluctuations influences the type and number of strategies positively filtered by the system. In fact, in the most productive grasslands, we observed the highest number of indicator trait states reflecting strategies devoted to the storage of resources and competition for light. Results seem also indicate that temporal variation of resources plays a role in trait differentiation and richness within a plant community, filtering traits composition of grasslands in the same direction, as formerly proved for spatial heterogeneity of resources.

Cell replication integrates aberrations of cell cycle regulation and diverse upstream pathways which all can contribute to melanoma development and progression. In this study, cell cycle regulatory proteins were detected in situ in benign and malignant melanocytic tumors to allow correlation of major cell cycle fractions (G1, S-G2, and G2-M) with melanoma evolution. Dysplastic nevi expressed early cell cycle markers (cyclin D1 and cyclin-dependent kinase 2; Cdk2) significantly more (p 0.05) than common nevi. Post-G1 phase markers such as cyclin A, geminin, topoisomerase IIα (peaking at S-G2) and aurora kinase B (peaking at G2-M) were expressed in thin (≤1 mm) melanomas but not in dysplastic nevi, suggesting that dysplastic melanocytes engaged in the cell cycle do not complete replication and remain arrested in G1 phase. In malignant melanomas, the expression of general and post-G1 phase markers correlated well with each other implying negligible cell cycle arrest. Post-G1 phase markers and Ki67 but none of the early markers cyclin D1, Cdk2 or minichromosome maintenance protein 6 (Mcm6) were expressed significantly more often in thick (1 mm) than in thin melanomas. Marker expression did not differ between metastatic melanomas and thick melanomas, with the exception of aurora kinase A of which the expression was higher in metastatic melanomas. Combined detection of cyclin A (post-G1 phase) with Mcm6 (replication licensing) and Ki67 correctly classified thin melanomas and dysplastic nevi in 95.9 % of the original samples and in 93.2 % of cross-validated grouped cases at 89.5 % sensitivity and 92.6 % specificity. Therefore, cell cycle phase marker detection can indicate malignancy in early melanocytic lesions and accelerated cell cycle progression during vertical melanoma growth.

Among the most extended ecosystems of the temperate zone, the seminatural, dry grasslands constitute a substantial proportion in the Carpathian Basin. The aim of our present study was to investigate the short-term effect of extensive fertilization on the species composition and CO2 exchange of loess grassland at community level. The in situ investigation of the latter parameter have not been yet carried out in Pannonian loess grasslands. Most of the parameters studied showed a considerable interannual variation both in the fertilized and in the control stands. As a result of the treatment, the average species number of the fertilized stand decreased by 22%, which was more significant in the autumn (26%) than in the spring. Diversity values, including Shannon index and species richness, increased by nearly 1.5 times in the year with adequate rainfall compared with the initial values. In general, species richness and the ratio of dicots decreased, while the ratio of therophytes, alien competitors, and C4 plants increased with the addition of fertilizers. Significant carbon sequestration potential was only detected during wet periods in the fertilized grass. The rate of CO2 uptake was found to be nearly five times higher in the fertilized stand and nearly three times higher in the control stand during the wet year compared with the previous, extremely dry year. The CO2 uptake potential of the fertilized grassland exceeded that of the control stand by 12% in the year with high rainfall, while the rate of CO2 exchange dropped by 50% in the dry year in the fertilized stand. Our study reinforced the idea that the decline in species richness was not necessarily followed by the reduction of stand level carbon uptake in a short period due to an insignificant change in ecophysiological functional groups.

Questions (i) Which species dominate mid-successional old-fields in Hungary? How does the identity of these species relate to local (patch-scale) diversity and to the progress of succession? (ii) Which species have the strongest negative impact on diversity in spontaneous old-field succession and what generalizations are possible about traits of these species? (iii) Are these species dominant or subordinate components in mature target communities? (iv) Do native or alien species have stronger effects on the diversity and progress of succession? Location Abandoned agricultural fields (abandoned croplands, orchards and vineyards) at various locations throughout Hungary. Methods Vegetation patterns on 112 old-fields, in 25 sites varying in soil and climatic conditions, topography, landscape contexts and land-use histories were sampled. Most old-fields had appropriate seed sources in the immediate vicinity, i.e. natural or semi-natural grasslands (meadows steppes, closed and open sand steppes) as source and target habitats. Age of abandoned fields ranged from 1 to 69 yr, but most sites were between 15 and 60 yr. The cover of vascular plant species (%) was estimated in 2 × 2-m plots. Relationships between diversity, progress of succession (similarity to target communities) and identity of dominants were tested. Results A small portion of successional dominants (eight species) had strong negative impacts on diversity. These species belonged to Poaceae, Asteraceae and Fabaceae. Most of these species were wind-pollinated, and capable of lateral vegetative spread. Dominant species varied in size and had, on average, a low requirement for N but a high requirement for light. With one exception, Solidago gigantea, they were native to the Hungarian flora. Significant differences were found among the impact of successional dominants when dominant species were grouped according to their original role (dominants or subordinates) in natural communities. The overall effect of species identity was also significant. Bothriochloa ischaemum was identified as the species with the strongest negative effect on species diversity. Conclusions Our results suggest that mid-successional dominant species differ in their impact on diversity and progress of succession. Mid-successional plots dominated by alien species, or by native species that were originally subordinate in natural communities, regenerate less successfully and may temporarily arrest succession. Therefore, early colonization of native dominants should be enhanced with restoration measures.

This study investigates how yellow bluestem affects biodiversity in a typical Pannonian grassland. Beta diversity (i.e. the finescale spatial variability of species compositions), was estimated by the realized number of species combinations sampled at various scales. Sampling was performed by a standard protocol. Presences of plant species were recorded along 52.2 m long belt transect of 1044 units of 0.05x0.05 m contiguous microquadrats. According to the results the massive presence of tested C4 grass significantly reduced species richness of the grassland. Beta diversity assessment revealed that 90% of species combinations were lost due to yellow bluestem invasion. Fine-scale spatial pattern analyses showed complete local extinctions of other species from microsites dominated by yellow bluestem. This local extinction is enhanced by the specific clonal architecture of this species and by the accumulation of litter. Other dominant grasses had no effect on fine scale diversity, i.e. they could coexist well with other elements of the local flora. This study presents currently developed microhabitat types, forecasts and also draws attention to the danger that climate warming will probably enhance the spread of this detrimental C4 species.

Regeneration of seminatural grasslands are often threatened by the invasion of Calamagrostis epigejos, which can slow down or arrest secondary succession. Here we report the results of a 9-year mowing experiment designed to suppress the spread of C. epigejos in mid-successional grasslands in Hungary. The experimental design consisted of 16 permanent plots of 3 × 3 m. Half of the plots were mowed twice a year (in June and September), the other half was left as control. Vegetation was sampled in 2 × 2 m quadrates before mowing in each year between 2001 and 2009. The effects of mowing were tested using repeated–measure analyses of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey HSD for post hoc tests. Significant decrease of C. epigejos appeared after 2 years of mowing. Species richness increased after 4 years, while diversity after 8 years. By this time the target native species Brachypodium pinnatum become dominant. Similar trends appeared in the control plots during spontaneous succession but at much slower rates. Ou...

As a result it could be stated that the dolomite slope rocky grassland is more sensitive against excess intensive grazing. Ratio of characteristic species has been decreased, giving floor for degradation tolerant species and poisonous or sticky plants not favored by animals. From a nature conservation point of view, a positive change has happened on the once mowed area converted into pasture of Hungarian Grey Cattle breed near the Inner Lake (Tihany peninsula).

The microalgae cultivation has been developed over the last decades because it is capable of producing valuable metabolites, such as n-3 fatty acids for nutraceutical purposes. Aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the micro-alga as fat supplement on fatty acid profile of goat and cow milk, with particular reference to n-3 fatty acids and rumenic acid. Twenty dairy goats and 16 dairy cows were randomly allocated to two isonitrogenous treatment groups to investigate the effect of micro-alga supplementation on the composition and fatty acid profile of milk. The 1st goat group was fed with alfalfa hay and concentrate; the 2nd goat group received the same forages but the concentrate was supplemented with 10 g kg-1 DM intake micro-alga. The control group cows were fed with alfalfa hay, corn silage and concentrate, while the experimental animals were fed with the same forages but the concentrate was supplemented with 7.4 g kg-1 DM intake micro-alga. The experimental periods lasted for 17 d. The micro-alga supplements considerably increased rumenic acid concentration in milk (1.20% vi. 1.54%, P < 0.001 for goats; 0.75% vs. 0.85%, P < 0.05 for cows). The n-3 fatty acids were higher in milk (1.02 vs. 1.35; P < 0.001 for goats; 0.47 vs. 0.56; P < 0.05 for cows) and in addition the n-6/n-3 ratio was also more favorable in the micro-alga supplemented groups (3.53 vs. 2.88; P < 0.01 for goats; 4.18 vs. 3.36; P < 0.05 for cows). It is concluded that the diet with micro-alga supplementation significantly increased the concentration of beneficial fatty acids in both goat and cow milk.

Identification and classification of numerous Festuca species is still a difficult problem due to the close morphological resemblance. The most difficult fine fescues to identify belong to the Festuca ovina aggregate, which is the largest group in the genus Festuca. Many taxons are considered to be separate species based on quantitative taxonomic characters, differences in ploidy level or the structure of sclerenchyma cells. In order to evaluate the taxonomic value of DNA-based markers, sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS1-5.8S-ITS2) region and the chloroplast trnL (UAA) intron was performed in the ten most problematic fine fescues belonging to the Festuca ovina aggregate. Intraspecific ITS variants were found in a single case while in other cases only intragenomic ITS polymorphisms were detected with 1-2 ambiguous positions. Among the sequences of the trnL (UAA) intron even intragenomic polymorphisms were not detected in any of the Festuca species studied. Thus, the results do not support the species status of these ten taxa.

Rhizomorphs of Armitlaria mellea Karst s.l. were collected in the stemflow and throughfall areas of beech stands on four soil types in Hungary in order to compare their chemical element contents. The amount of rhizomorphs found in the samples increased with decreasing pH of the soil types as well as with decreasing pH caused by the influence of stemflow water. Least rhizomorphs were collected in the Ranker, whereas most were found in the stemflow areas of the pod- zolized Brown Earth. Rhizomorph and beech root samples, collected for comparison, showed highly significant differences in their chemical element contents. Rhizomorphs contained less B, Fe. Ga, Li, Mg, Mn, Ti and V, but more Cd, Co, P, Pb, Si and Zn in all soil types than comparable beech root samples. Remarkable was the high Pb content of rhizomorphs, which is not characteristic of mushroom fruiting bodies collected in unpolluted areas. Quantitat und Elementgehalt von Armillaria- mellea-Rhizomorphen in Stammablauf- und Kronentraufbereichen von Buchenwaldern auf unterschiedlichen Bodentypen In Stammablauf- und Kronentraufbereichen von Buchenwaldern auf vier unterschiedlichen Bodentypen in Ungarn wurden zur Untersuchung der chemischen Elementgehalte Proben von Rhizomorphen von Armillaria mellea Karst, s.l. gesammelt. Die Anzahl der Rhizomor- phen in den Proben steigt mit abnehmendem pH-Wert der Bodentypen sowie unter dem Einflus des Stammablaufwassers. Die niedrigste Anzahl von Rhizomorphen wurde in einem Ranker ohne Stammablaufwasser-Einflus ermittelt, die groste hingegen in einer podsolisierten Braunerde an den vom Stammablauf beeinflusten Seiten der Baume. Die Elementgehalte der Rhizomorphen und der zum Vergleich gesammelten Buchenwurzeln zeigen hochsignifikante Unterschiede. Die Rhizomorphen beinhalten in allen Bodentypen weniger B, Fe, Ga, Li, Mg, Mn, Ti und V, aber mehr Cd, Co, P, Pb, Si und Zn als die vergleichbaren Buchenwurzeln. Auffallig ist der hohe Bleigehalt der Rhizomorphen. Solch hohe Werte sind fur Fruchtkorper von Pilzen, die in unbelasteten Gebieten gesammelt wurden, nicht charakteristisch.

Examined area can be found at Balaton Uplands National Park (Hungary). 5 sample areas were examined in Badacsonytordemic: 1: 32 hectare under-grazed pasture, 2: 38 hectare overgrazed pasture, 3: 34 hectare hayfield, 4: trampled area, 5: beaten track. Livestock population was 118 in the monitored pastures. Sampling was executed along five 52m long circular transects, within 5cm × 5cm interlocking quadrates. Based on the data we can state that the curve of the drinking area was the highest of speciesarea examinations however weed appeared because of degradation which provided more species. According to species-area examinations overgrazed areas were richer in species then other examined areas. Based on diversity data drinking area considered degraded, while meadow and overgrazed areas was considered as proper state. Diversity of meadow was larger, but dominance of economically useful species was smaller. The amount of less valuable species – Carex hirta – increased.

The aquatic macrophyte vegetation of the Bjorka-Kavlinge River (Skane, South Sweden, Fig. 1) was investigated in 1997 and 1998. By nature, this river has a meso- to eutrophic character. Furthermore, the river has a high structural running water quality and a high species diversity over long distances. Its catchment area is dominated by agriculture and characterized by fertile calcareous soils. 219 river sections of 100–500 m length (overall length 69,950 m = 85.7% of the whole river length) between Vollsjoby and the mouth of the river into the Baltic Sea were cartographically recorded and investigated (Fig. 2). In these sections all vascular hydrophytes, amphiphytes, helophytes and some haptophytes were recorded. For the vegetation survey and evaluation of the results the methods described in Kohler & Janauer (1995) were used. The “index species” of the “limes scanicus” (H. & G. Weimarck 1985) Butomus umbellatus, Sium latifolium and others with their wide area of distribution are characteristic plants for this river type. Some plant species groups, resp. some species, show characteristic distribution patterns in the course of the river: Hildenbrandia rivularis group, Potamogeton lucens group, Zostera marina group etc. Due to the species features a classification of four floristic-ecological river zones was made (zones A to D). The distribution of the macrophyte species was also characterized by a set of quantitative parameters which are “Relative Range Length”, “Average Plant Quantity” and “Average Quantitiy Index”, respectively (Figs. 3–5). Both, the plant distribution as well as the sequences of the floristic zones are less to be seen as a consequence of a trophic gradient, but as a consequence of different river dynamics of velocity of flow, sediment quality as well as of salt water influence. The diagnostic features also served to determine the relation between plant distribution and environmental factors (shading, cattle grazing). Hildenbrandia rivularis mainly occurs in shaded areas, Elodea canadensis in unshaded ones. In sections influenced by cattle tracks there is an increased occurrence of Alopecurus geniculatus, Agrostis stolonifera and Glyceria fluitans . The reasons for the high species diversity of this eutrophic river are a relatively high water quality, a high amount of habitat structures, a variety of vegetational structures and various land use patterns in the surrounding area. Recommendations for the preservation and the improvement of the ecological conditions are made. For the conservation of the biological diversity of the river, hydraulic engineering measures should be avoided. Along considerable river sections suffering from cattle grazing, vegetation could be achieved by partial exclusion of the cattle, and in some sections buffer zones along the river should be established.

Second crops of oil radish (Raphanus sativus) and white mustard (Sinapis alba) being in the bloom stage were evaluated for nutritive value for wether lambs (n=5 per crop, BW=35.6 kg) and in situ grazability by ewes (n=15 per crop, BW=50 kg). Animals received no supplemental feed. The two forage crops differed in dry matter (DM) (135 vs. 154 g/kg) as well as in crude protein (148 vs. 206 g), crude fibre (141 vs. 194 g) and N-free extract (550 vs. 482 g) per kg DM. In the feeding trial, total daily DM intake of lambs from oil radish and white mustard differed (1063 vs. 1203 g/head) but was similar in percent bodyweight (3.3-3%). Apparent digestibility of the two forage crops were similar for crude protein (69-70%) and N-free extract (70-71%), but differed (Pm (5.70-5.88 MJ) per kg DM. In the 4-day grazing trial was used rotational grazing, based on results, the oil radish provided a carrying capacity twice as high as white mustard’s notably, 1700 vs. 740 ewe grazing days per ha - equal to 60 ewes grazing one hectare for 28 and 12 days, respectively. Thus, oil radish seemed better to be used as fall grazing pasture for mutton sheep.