Ermelo weeping lovegrass response to clipping, fertilization, and watering
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Authors: R. A. Masters, and C. M. Britton
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 5
Pages: 461-465
Summary of Methods: This experiment was designed to simulate the short duration grazing strategy to improve weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula) quantity, quality, and utilization by livestock. To assess root mass response to clipping, fertilization, and watering, treatments were imposed on containerized weeping lovegrass growing in a field experiment. All treatments increased above-ground production of weeping lovegrass and root mass was maintained in all clipping treatments except the watered and fertilized treatment. Root mass of fertilized and watered plants was most likely reduced because these plants were clipped more frequently than plants in other treatments since they regrew so quickly after defoliation. Masters and Britton conclude that based on this simulation of a forage management strategy, periodic harvest of weeping lovegrass combined with fertilization improved herbage dry matter yield and water-use efficiency without adversely affecting root mass when interval between harvest events averaged 32-35 days.
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: weeping lovegrass, eragrostis curvula, root mass, water use efficiency, crude protein, short duration grazing, simulated herbivory, plant production
Annotation: Clipping treatments occurred between April and September 1983. Half the weeping lovegrass within each fertilization by watering frequency treatment combination were clipped to a 10-cm stubble height when regrowth height reached 40-cm.
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