SOME EFFECTS OF GRAZING MANAGEMENT ON THE YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS OF SOME PASTURE GRASSES

Abstract

A study was made to determine the effects of grazing to a height of 1 in. when the swards reached heights of 3 and 9 in. on the dry matter production, LAI, tillering and rate of leaf production of new and old tillers in the spring–summer and autumn–winter seasons of 3 pasture species growing in association with white and red clovers. In both seasons the herbage yield under 9–1 management was higher than that under 3–1 and was significantly greater in the spring‐summer season. Differences in DM production between cocksfoot, tall fescue and Ariki ryegrass failed to reach significance.Light utilization under the 2 management systems was considered to be inefficient. In the autumn‐winter period there was a linear relationship between the LAI and DM production in all treatments.The rate of leaf production per tiller was significantly higher in cocksfoot than in ryegrass and tall fescue in both seasons.New tillers had a significantly higher rate of leaf production than old tillers in the spring‐summer period, but not in autumn‐winter. The numbers of grass tillers and rooted nodes of clover were significantly higher under 3–1 than under 9–1 and were influenced by season.