Effects of clipping on burned and unburned creeping bluestem
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Authors: R. S. Kalmbacher, F. G. Martin, W. S. Terry, D. H. Hunter, and L. D. White
Date: 1985
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 38
Number: 6
Pages: 531-535
Summary of Methods: Creeping bluestem (Schizachyrium stoloniferum), a major decreaser on Florida range, is adversely affected by grazing during the growing season after a winter burn. Creeping bluestem yield from unburned areas declined linearly within both years as initial harvest was delayed, but delaying initial harvest date had no effect on forage yield from burned areas. Rhizomes of plants burned in February 1979, cut initially in April, and re harvested 4 times had 9.0% total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) in March 1980, while unburned plots contained 10.2% TNC. Quality of re growth declined from June to August and steadily increased from August to December. Improved crude protein and digestibility of regrowth could be realized if forage was burned in February, grazed in June, then regrazed in October or December. Such a grazing scheme would take advantage of higher quality in initial growth forage due to burning, allow for regrowth when creeping bluestem growth is great (June to August), and provide good quality regrowth for winter. This does not imply that creeping bluestem should be burned annually, but when part of a normal 3 to 5 year prescribed burning plan, it would allow for good quality forage without stand loss.
Article Summary / Main Points: None
Vegetation Types:
MLRA Ecoregions:
Agrovoc Control Words: Riparian zones Rangelands Wildlife
Article Review Type: Refereed
Article Type: Experimental Research
Keywords: clipping, prescribed burning, creeping bluestem, schizachyrium stoloniferum, grazing, tiller
Annotation: Creeping bluestem was burned or not burned on 2 similar sites in February 1978 and 1979 and cut at 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 months after burning. Once forage was initially cut (7-cm above soil surface), it was recut every 2 months.
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