Persistence of a Lolium perenne-Trifolium subterraneum pasture under differing defoliation treatments
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Authors: I. Motazedian, and S. H. Sharrow
Date: 1987
Journal: Journal of Range Management
Volume: 40
Number: 3
Pages: 232-236
Summary of Methods: Different clipping intensities and intervals were applied to plots of mixed perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and subclover (Trifolium subterraneum) in this study to determine the effects of different grazing management strategies on improved pastures containing these species. During this three year study perennial ryegrass cover decreased and subclover cover increased in defoliated plots, regardless of stubble height and defoliation interval, while in undefoliated plots, both species declined and annual grasses increased. Stubble height did not affect any of the measured parameters but defoliation interval was important. The density of perennial ryegrass plants at the end of trial in 1983 was highest when plots were defoliated once every 21 or 35 days compared to those defoliated every 7 days, 49 days, or the undefoliated control plots. Root biomass per plant, however, increased linearly as defoliation interval increased from 7 to 49 days between defoliation events. Viewed together, these data suggest that under-utilization of grass-clover pastures may be potentially as damaging to pasture persistence as overutilization.
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: grazing intensity, simulated grazing, pasture improvement, rotational grazing
Annotation: A 20 x 40 m exclosure was built in March 1980 to protect plants for sheep grazing. The pasture in the study area was established prior to 1970 and was moderately stocked with sheep in years prior to exclosure. Defoliation treatments included all possible combinations of 4 defoliation intervals (DI= 7, 21, 35, or 49 days between 2 consecutive defoliations), and 3 stubble heights (SH: high=70 mm, medium= 55 mm, and low= 40 mm stubble height remaining after defoliation. There were 3 control plots that were undefoliated. Defoliation treatments commenced each spring when plant height reached 15 cm. Defoliation treatments began on April 5, March 24, and April 7 on continued through July in 1980, 1981, and 1982, respectively.
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