Clipping date effects on soil water and regrowth in crested wheatgrass
-
-
Authors: R. F. Miller, M. R. Haferkamp, and R. F. Angell
Date: 1990
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 43
Number: 3
Pages: 253-257
Summary of Methods: Miller et al. measured the effects of timing of clipping on soil moisture, crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) regrowth and annual yield, to determine the grazing management that produced the most crested wheatgrass forage in the shrub steppe of Oregon. Early clipping did not affect soil water potential, however, clipping during the elevation of the apical meristem decreased soil water potential compared to earlier and later defoliated treatments. This decrease may alter competitive relationships in the vegetation community. Regrowth and total annual production were also related to timing of clipping. Regrowth was greatest when plant were clipped before elevation of the apical meristem and total annual production was lowest when plants were clipped during the early and late boot stages than any other phenological stage. Based on these results, the authors recommend grazing crested wheatgrass pastures before elevation of the apical meristem while grass is in the vegetative state to maximize annual production and regrowth for late season grazing. The authors did caution that although annual production was not directly related to precipitation levels it was lower in dry years and therefore management should adapt to climactic variations as well.
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: soil moisture, biomass, crested wheatgrass, agropyron desertorum, regrowth
Annotation: Plants were clipped to 2-cm stubble height one time during the growing season and then harvested in mid-August. Clipping treatments were applied at 10 phenological stages of plant development starting in mid-April and ending in mid-August. Following each clipping treatment, the remainder of the plot, which served as a buffer surrounding the clipping area, was mowed.
-
Get article
Cite article with DOI
-