Yield and Forage Quality of Different ×Festulolium Cultivars in Winter

×Festulolium ssp. are of particular interest as autumn‐saved herbage in the winter grazing system, but information concerning their performance in this low‐input system is not available. To this end, we examined dry matter (DM) yield and forage quality in winter of four different cultivars of ×Festulolium ssp. (×Festulolium pabulare, Festulolium braunii), either with festucoid or loloid attributes, compared with Festuca arundinacea Schreb. Furthermore, pre‐utilization (accumulation since June or July) and date of winter harvest (December or January) were varied examining the influence of different sward management. DM yield, crude protein, metabolizable energy (ME) (in vitro rumen fermentation technique), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and ergosterol concentration were determined. Within all years, the festucoid cultivars (mean 3.4 t ha^?1) attained significant higher yields during winter than the loloid cultivars (mean 1.6 t ha^?1), but their yields were comparable with F. arundinacea (mean 3.0 t ha^?1). Crude protein was decisively influenced by the different yield levels of the cultivars resulting in higher values for the loloid cultivars. Energy concentrations decreased with later winter harvest, whereas ADF as well as ergosterol concentrations frequently increased from December to January. The greatest differences between festucoid and loloid cultivars were generally observed during severe winters. Obviously, the festucoid cultivars were better adapted to a utilization as autumn‐saved herbage than the cultivars with rather loloid attributes. However, the hybrids did not surpass F. arundinacea regarding yield and quality.     

The Effect of Sward Management on the Mineral Content of Winter Grazed Herbage

No information is available regarding the mineral content of autumn‐saved herbage during winter grazing under Central European conditions. Therefore, P, K, Na, Mg and Ca concentrations of autumn‐saved growths of Festuca arundinacea and Lolium perenne were analysed considering the potential influence of pre‐utilization (saved from June or July), date of winter harvest (December, January, February) and year (three winters). For all years date of winter harvest was the main source of variance, whereas date of preceding cut had no relevant effect on the mineral concentrations during winter. Already in December P [2.3 to 4.0 g kg^?1 dry matter (DM)], Na (0.3 to 3 g kg^?1 DM) and Mg (1.0 to 2.4 g kg^?1 DM) concentrations were mostly below the required levels for ruminants. The lowest values were detected in February. K levels ranged between 6.6 g kg^?1 DM in February and 23.4 g kg^?1 DM in December; on average, K concentrations decreased about 10 g kg^?1 DM with advancing winter. Ca concentrations (2.9 to 7.4 g kg^?1 DM) hardly changed during winter. Related to higher growth rates of F. arundinacea before December, P and Ca concentrations were diluted, but regarding Mg, more wintergreen F. arundinacea reached higher values than L. perenne especially at the beginning of winter.     

Correlations among Fusarium culmorum head blight resistance, fungal colonization and mycotoxin contents in winter rye

Fusarium culmorum head blight infections may lead to accumulation of toxic metabolites in winter rye grain. To estimate the correlation between resistance traits, fungal colonization and accumulation of deoxynivalenol (DON), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3-AcDON) and zea-ralenone (ZEA), 27 winter rye single-cross hybrids were artificially inoculated in 1992 and 1993. Resistance traits were head blight rating and grain weight of the inoculated relative to the non-inoculated plots. Fungal colonization was determined by the analysis of ergosterol (ERG) content in the grain. Head blight rating and relative grain yield showed a medium to high disease severity and ERG indicated a considerable fungal colonization of the kernels with a mean of 85 mg/kg in 1992 and 66 mg/kg in 1993. DON content among genotypes ranged from 0.7–28 mg/kg in 1992 and from 11 to 35 mg/kg in 1993. 3-AcDON and ZEA contents were low in both years with overall means of 1.1 and 0.09 mg/kg, respectively. Across both years, considerable genotypic variation was found for head blight rating, relative grain weight, and ERG content with medium to high heritabilities (0.6–0.7). For the mycotoxin contents, however, genotype-year interaction variance was the most important source of variation. The correlations between relative grain weight and DON, 3-AcDON, or ZEA were low in 1992 (r ～ 0.3), but considerably higher in 1993 (r ～ 0.7, P = 0.01). In contrast, correlation between relative grain weight and ERG was significant in both years (r ～ 0.5, P = 0.01). In F. culmorum head blight infections, DON, 3-AcDON and ZEA contents appear to be affected, at least partially, by different environmental factors than resistance traits and fungal colonization.     

Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization and Date of Utilization on the Quality and Yield of Tall Fescue in Winter

There is no information available on the influence of nitrogen (N) fertilization on autumn‐accumulated forage under Central European conditions. In this context, the metabolizable energy and the degree of fungal infection have never been examined before. In this study, the effects of the amount of N fertilizer (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg N ha^?1), the date of N application (July and August) and the date of winter harvest (December, January and February) on the quality and dry matter (DM) yield of Festuca arundinacea stands in winter were investigated. DM yield, the metabolizable energy and digestibility of organic matter (= in vitro rumen fermentation technique), crude protein, ADL (acid detergent lignin), and for the first time ergosterol were determined. Disregarding the 0 variant, no interactions of any relevance were present. DM yield, crude protein and values of ADL increased with increasing amounts of N, but the concentration of energy decreased. The late N application resulted mostly in lower DM yields but kept the forage physiologically younger, which brought about higher levels of metabolizable energy and lower concentrations of ADL. With later date of harvest, losses of mass and quality occurred. The degree of fungal infection rose as the amount of N fertilizer increased. Three years of investigation under different weather conditions, including interactions with the effects of N fertilization, provide a good base for generalization.     

Maximising lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) production with fixed‐length recovery intervals after defoliation in mild winter environments

Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is an important temperate legume for livestock production systems. Lucerne requires a recovery period after a defoliation event so that taproot energy and nutrient stores can be replenished. A field experiment examined the effects of recovery period management following defoliation, on lucerne herbage production and nutritive value at two contrasting sites in Victoria, Australia. Sites were established at Rutherglen and Hamilton, using established SARDI Seven lucerne stands. Treatments were short recovery (SR; plots cut at 21‐day intervals), long recovery (LR; plots cut at 42‐day intervals), new shoots (NS; plots cut when new shoots from the crown were at least 2 cm long) and new shoots + flowering (NSF; as for NS but plots were left to grow to reach late flowering from late summer to mid‐autumn). At each defoliation, measurements were made of phenology, dry matter production and herbage nutrient concentrations (neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, metabolisable energy and water‐soluble carbohydrate %). Persistence was measured at approximately 6‐month intervals. At both sites, lucerne persisted equally well in all treatments although SR showed some decline at Hamilton at the final measurement. LR led to a more productive pasture (in terms of cumulative dry matter, neutral detergent fibre, crude protein, metabolisable energy and water‐soluble carbohydrate %) than the three other treatments. The results indicate that phenological management systems that allow lucerne to replenish reserves through late summer and autumn are unnecessary in mild winter environments.     

Agronomic Potential of Three Vetches (Vicia spp.) Under Rainfed Conditions

The major limiting factor to livestock production in West Asia and North Africa is the inadequate feed supply. The introduction of leguminous forage species into fallow lands represents a means of increasing feed supplies for the rapidly growing livestock population.
Twenty five lines each of common vetch ( Vicia sativa L.) wooly-pod vetch ( Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa Ten.), and bitter vetch ( Vicia ervilia L.) were tested over three seasons with contrasting rainfalls and winter temperatures. For each species, seedling vigour, winter growth, cold effect, spring growth, leafiness, herbage yield at 100 % flowering, grain yield, harvest index and aspects of herbage quality were recorded. There were considerable variation among entries with the same species, entries of V. ervilia were the earlier in flowering and maturity, and V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa almost the latest by 45 days. V. sativa , was the most affected by frost whilst both V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa and V. ervilia proved to be cold tolerant.
Although V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa produced high herbage yield in springs its grain yield is low resulting in a low harvest index. Both V. ervilia and V. sativa produced high grain yield with high harvest index. Seed yield was negatively correlated (P < 0.01) with days to flowering and maturity indicating the need of earlier types.
Quality of the herbage in term of digestibility was far lower (46 % IVDMD) in V. villosa ssp. dasycarpa than the other two species (69 % and 72 %).
The possible niches and utilization of each species as animal feed in the prevailing farming systems are discussed.     

Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding in integrated crop–livestock systems: Effects of grazing management and crop rotation strategies

We evaluated the re-establishment of an Italian ryegrass pasture by self-seeding on a no-till integrated crop–livestock systems (ICLS) in the southern region of Brazil. This work is part of a long-term experimental protocol initiated in 2003. We tested the effects of various management practices, such as summer crop systems (soybean vs. maize–soybean rotation), stocking methods (continuous vs. rotational) and grazing intensities (low vs. moderate), on Italian ryegrass pasture establishment. In addition, we tested resilience of the system by testing pasture's ability to re-establish following a year without seed head production. The experiment consisted in the rotation, on the same area, of Italian ryegrass pasture grazed by sheep during the winter and up to the end of the grass production cycle, and soybean or soybean–maize grain crops rotation cultivated during the summer. The pasture established itself by self-seeding since 2005. Data were collected in 2011 and 2012 stocking season. The soybean summer crop, continuous stocking and low grazing intensity, all positively affected the production of reproductive tillers in 2011. Grazing intensity in 2011 strongly influenced early vegetative tiller densities (before crop harvest) in 2012. However, none of the grazing intensity or the stocking method treatments affected herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment in 2011 or 2012. On the other hand, the soybean summer crop positively affected pasture establishment, both in term of tiller densities and herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment. The removal of all seed heads in 2011 (preventing seed production) resulted in the total failure of pasture establishment in 2012. Overall, Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding relies on the annual replacement of the soil seed bank. This experiment demonstrated that under various stocking methods, moderate grazing intensity and maize or soybean summer crop, Italian ryegrass pasture establishment by self-seeding remains successful even when the stocking periods extended up to the end of the grass production cycle. Self-seeding with moderate grazing intensity ensures successful pasture establishment, reduces labour and costs and allows to increase the stocking period and so animal live weight gain over the grazing season.     

Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding in integrated crop-livestock systems: Effects of grazing management and crop rotation strategies

We evaluated the re-establishment of an Italian ryegrass pasture by self-seeding on a no-till integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) in the southern region of Brazil. This work is part of a long-term experimental protocol initiated in 2003. We tested the effects of various management practices, such as summer crop systems (soybean vs. maize–soybean rotation), stocking methods (continuous vs. rotational) and grazing intensities (low vs. moderate), on Italian ryegrass pasture establishment. In addition, we tested resilience of the system by testing pasture's ability to re-establish following a year without seed head production. The experiment consisted in the rotation, on the same area, of Italian ryegrass pasture grazed by sheep during the winter and up to the end of the grass production cycle, and soybean or soybean-maize grain crops rotation cultivated during the summer. The pasture established itself by self-seeding since 2005. Data were collected in 2011 and 2012 stocking season. The soybean summer crop, continuous stocking and low grazing intensity, all positively affected the production of reproductive tillers in 2011. Grazing intensity in 2011 strongly influenced early vegetative tiller densities (before crop harvest) in 2012. However, none of the grazing intensity or the stocking method treatments affected herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment in 2011 or 2012. On the other hand, the soybean summer crop positively affected pasture establishment, both in term of tiller densities and herbage mass at the end of pasture establishment. The removal of all seed heads in 2011 (preventing seed production) resulted in the total failure of pasture establishment in 2012. Overall, Italian ryegrass establishment by self-seeding relies on the annual replacement of the soil seed bank. This experiment demonstrated that under various stocking methods, moderate grazing intensity and maize or soybean summer crop, Italian ryegrass pasture establishment by self-seeding remains successful even when the stocking periods extended up to the end of the grass production cycle. Self-seeding with moderate grazing intensity ensures successful pasture establishment, reduces labour and costs and allows to increase the stocking period and so animal live weight gain over the grazing season.     

Dry matter yield, herbage quality and persistency of equivalent populations of perennial ryegrass with and without reduced flowering

Reducing the number of flowering tillers that perennial ryegrass produces would improve the feeding value of herbage and could also be used to reduce pollen flow to wild ryegrass populations. Equivalent populations with and without one or more genes that reduce flowering (normal and leafy populations, respectively) were compared over three harvest years (1999‐2001) in a field plot experiment with two cutting managements (silage and simulated grazing). In 1999, samples of dried herbage from each harvest were analysed for leaf lamina content, in vitro digestibility (DMD), crude protein (CP) and water‐soluble carbohydrate (WSC). The leafy population produced one‐fifth to one‐third as many reproductive tillers in May as did the normal population, depending on the management. Mean leaf content of the herbage over all harvests and managements was 63 g/kg higher in the leafy population but its mean DMD was only 7 g/kg higher. In August, September and October, when the leaf contents of the two populations were very similar, the mean DMD of the leafy population was 7 g/kg lower than that of the normal population. Mean annual dry matter yield over both managements of the leafy population was 6‐8% lower than that of the normal population but the leafy population was slightly more persistent.     

典型草原的光合有效辐射特征

为了合理利用太阳能和调整农牧业产业结构提供依据,利用2010年平均光合有效辐射(PAR)和太阳总辐射(Rs)资料,采用线性关系进行最小二乘拟合,分析该区的光合有效辐射特征。结果表明：典型晴天日和阴天日的PAR和Rs曲线变化趋势基本一致,且前者的值明显大于后者;PAR的月平均总量为8.15 MJ/m2,年总量为2983.1 MJ/m2,春、夏、秋、冬四季的平均日总量季节变化较明显,夏季最大,冬季最小;PAR/Rs晴天日的值明显小于阴天日,全年平均值为0.497,月平均值在0.422~0.544之间,最大值出现在夏末的8月,为0.544,最小值出现在冬季的1月,为0.42。PAR/Rs的变化幅度和当地的天气气候有关,受天空云、大气气溶胶、大气中水汽含量等因素的影响。     

Influence of Sowing and Harvest Time on Fibre Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) in the Mediterranean Environment

Triennial field trials were carried out at Viterbo, central Italy, to investigate the influence of the sowing time, nitrogen fertilization and harvest dates of the two fibre flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) varieties Belinka and Ariane. Our results showed that warm and dry weather conditions, prevailing from late spring onwards, caused excessive shortening of the growing cycle of spring crops, with negative consequences for seed and fibre yield and quality. However, autumn sowings gave interesting results. Stem dry weight ranged between 5.6 and 6.7 t ha^?1 for autumn sowings and between 1.9 and 4.1 t ha^?1 for spring sowings. In autumn sowings, plant height and seed yields were also increased. Seed germinability was good even for early harvest dates. Stem dry weight remained constant at harvest dates following yellow‐green ripening, indicating that biomass was no longer allocated to the stems after that phase.     

青海牧草对气候变化的响应

为更好地了解气候变化对牧草的影响,采用线性趋势法和相关性分析,研究青海牧草的高度、覆盖度、产量、返青期和黄枯期以及影响因子。结果表明,6—8月牧草的高度和覆盖度均以不同的速率呈上升趋势,6月和7月的牧草产量以不同的速率呈增产趋势,8月的牧草产量呈减产趋势。返青期以-0.65 d/10 a的速率提前,枯黄期以0.15 d/10 a的速率推迟,牧草生长期延长;其中班玛、甘德、久治、玛沁、海晏、清水河、天峻和同德地区的牧草生长期延长,其他地区的牧草生长期缩短。冬季气温、6月下旬气温和8月风速是影响沱沱河地区牧草的主要因子;9月蒸发、秋季最低气温和6月≥10℃的积温是影响甘德地区牧草的主要因子;气温、2月0 cm地温和9月≥0℃的积温是影响天峻地区牧草的主要因子。     

The Effect of Preceding Crop and Pre-Sprouting on Crop Growth, N Use and Tuber Yield of Maincrop Potatoes for Processing Under Conditions of N Stress

Factorial field trials were carried out on an experimental farm near Kassel, Germany, in two consecutive seasons (2003 and 2004) in order to examine the impact of leguminous and cereal preceding crops (i) on soil N availability under subsequent potatoes and (ii) the effect of preceding crop and pre‐sprouting of seed tubers on crop development, N uptake, N utilization efficiency and total and size‐graded tuber yields relevant for processing into either crisps or French fries. In addition, an approach to analyse complex field experiments using mixed models is discussed. Soil mineralized nitrate‐N at emergence of the potato crop was affected by the preceding crop and was highest when potatoes followed peas, while the short‐term alfalfa/grass/clover ley appeared too sensitive to environmental conditions in the preceding cropping season, and its efficiency in terms of N supply may be hard to predict. Pre‐sprouting advanced crop development and dry matter accumulation of the canopy, translocation of assimilates and N from canopy into tubers and allowed an increased N utilization efficiency. The positive effect of pre‐sprouting on total tuber yield was compensated up to the final harvest, but a higher percentage of marketable tuber yield for French fries (>50 mm) was found independently of the date of harvest. An increasing N supply (after peas and a following catch crop) may be efficient in terms of higher yields of the marketable size‐grades (40–65 mm) for crisps, but increase oversized tuber yields in seasons not affected by Phytophthora infestans. Average tuber fresh weight responded consistently and positively to seed‐tuber preparation (pre‐sprouting), cultivar (cv. Agria) and an increased N supply (after peas).     

Genetic variation, heritability and genetic correlations for forage quality and yield traits of Mediterranean tall fescue germplasm

Higher ruminant intake potential and in vivo digestibility as indicated by lower neutral and acid detergent fibre (NDF and ADF), respectively, and higher crude protein (CP), may be valuable targets in tall fescue breeding. Some 105 full‐sib families from a diallel cross of Mediterranean parent germplasm were grown in a heated greenhouse simulating the temperature pattern of a Mediterranean environment, to estimate genetic parameters for NDF, ADF, CP and dry matter (DM) yield in one autumn and one winter harvest. Family x harvest interaction was large for NDF and ADF, moderate for CP and absent for DM yield. Additive genetic variance was mostly larger than specific genetic variance, and tended to be small for quality traits and large for DM yield. Narrow‐sense heritability was low for CP and ADF in autumn and moderate to fairly high in the remaining cases. Predicted gains per selection cycle never exceeded 5% for quality traits while being greater than 10% for DM yield. An inverse genetic correlation between DM yield and any quality trait emerged in the presence of sizeable genetic variation.     

Temperature Before Cold Acclimation Affects Cold Tolerance and Photoacclimation in Timothy (Phleum pratense L.), Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.)

The expected temperature rise in late summer/early autumn can change the conditions for acclimation and affect the winter survival of perennial crops. This study examined the effect of the temperature just before the onset of cold acclimation (pre‐acclimation) on freezing tolerance of timothy (Phleum pratense L.), perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) populations (both cultivars and breeding populations) adapted to either northern or southern parts of Norway. Using phytotron experiments, we studied whether increasing pre‐acclimation temperature delays growth cessation, affects photoacclimation and reduces freezing tolerance. Furthermore, we assessed whether these effects were related to the latitudinal adaptation of the plant material. The results showed that a rise in pre‐acclimation temperature decreased both cold acclimation capacity and photoacclimation in these species. This affected the freezing tolerance, which was reduced significantly more in northern‐adapted population of timothy and perennial ryegrass compared with southern‐adapted populations. Red clover was less affected by temperature changes than the grasses.     

Characterization of fall and spring plantings of Galician cabbage germplasm for agronomic, nutritional, and sensory traits

Twenty one landraces of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) and two of Tronchuda cabbage (B. oleracea var. tronchuda Bailey) from Galicia (north–western Spain) along with five commercial hybrids of cabbage and one commercial variety of Tronchuda cabbage were evaluated in this study in two planting dates, autumn/winter for an early harvest and spring/summer for a late harvest. Data were recorded on morphologic, agronomic, nutritional, and sensory traits. The objectives were to assess the characteristics of the Galician cabbage landraces and to compare their agronomic value with that of the commercial hybrids available in local markets, at two planting dates. Four cabbage landraces and the two Tronchuda cabbage landraces showed no head formation. At the autumn/winter season, commercial hybrids showed poor adaptation, with more plants lost after transplanting, less early vigor, and yield than the head forming landraces. However, for characters related to crop uniformity (head appearance, days to harvest, and synchrony of production), commercial hybrids did better than landraces. Regarding the sensory and nutritional values, in the autumn/winter season, accessions were tenderer, sweeter, had a better flavour, and showed higher levels of crude protein and less of crude fibre than in the spring/summer season. Landraces had higher calcium contents compared to commercial varieties. Local landraces MBG-BRS0425, MBG-BRS0452, MBG-BRS0536, and MBG-BRS0537 stood out for the most interesting traits in the autumn/winter season growing period and they could be included in breeding programs to obtain hybrids suitable to grow in this planting period.     

陕西蒸发量变化时空分布研究

为了研究陕西省水资源现状和利用前景,为陕西省生态环境可持续发展提供重要的参考价值。根据陕西省95个气象站1978—2012年20 cm口径蒸发皿观测的蒸发量资料,利用气候倾向率、累积距平法、Mann-Kendall突变检测法和ArcGIS空间插值分析法,分析陕西省蒸发皿蒸发量的变化。结果表明：月蒸发皿蒸发量在3—7月呈增加趋势,1—2月、8月和10—12月呈减少趋势,9月无变化。年和四季的蒸发皿蒸发量呈减少趋势,蒸发皿蒸发量突变年在1994年,春季和冬季在1999年,夏季在1985年和2010年,秋季在2001年。1月、3—8月和11—12月有1个突变点,9月有2个突变点,2月和10月有3个突变点。空间分布上,多年平均蒸发皿蒸发量为从东北到西南减少的趋势;蒸发皿蒸发量气候倾向率年呈由东北向西南递增趋势,春季呈由北向南增加的趋势,夏季呈由东向西增加的趋势,秋季呈由东向西增加的趋势,冬季呈由中向南北增加的趋势。     

气候变化背景下江南地区人体舒适度时空分布特征

为定量评价江南地区人体舒适度时空演变特征,本研究基于江南地区1961—2011年434个常规气象观测站逐日相对湿度、平均气温资料,利用人体舒适度指数模型系统分析了江南地区人体舒适度季节变化及空间分布特征,并进行相应的风险区划。结果表明:(1)除夏季外,江南地区全年及各季节人体舒适度值空间分布由南向北呈现逐渐减小的带状分布。(2)研究发现江南地区舒适日、不舒适日由南到北逐渐减少,极不舒适日呈现明显相反的趋势。(3)江南地区全年及各季节人体舒适度值分别以0.302/10 a、0.162/10 a、0.211/10 a、0.355/10 a、0.484/10 a上升,全年及春、秋、冬舒适感逐渐增加,而夏季舒适感显著下降。(4)全年及春、秋、冬人体舒适度值均具有明显的突变特征,突变点约在20世纪80年代末,后期总体上表现为上升趋势,气候变化在一定程度上有利于全年及春、秋、冬舒适度增加,减少了夏季人体舒适感。该研究结果可为江南地区人居环境决策、旅游气候资源综合开发利用及旅游气象服务保障提供科学的依据。     

Functional contribution of two perennial grasses to enhance pasture production and drought resistance under a leaf regrowth stage defoliation criterion

Lolium perenne L. (Lp) is the main pasture species in New Zealand, but climate change increases the likelihood of drought during summer and consequently lowers its growth rates. Bromus valdivianus Phil. (Bv) tolerates better the summer soil water restriction, but its competitiveness in a diverse pasture relates to the defoliation management and soil moisture levels. The performance of both species in terms of production, persistence and feed quality across seasons under different defoliation regimens was evaluated when the species were mixed and in monoculture. The treatments were applied in a randomised complete block design with three blocks. Bromus valdivianus and Lp monocultures and the 50/50 mixture (Mx) were grazed at low and high defoliation frequencies (i.e. based on Bv and Lp optimal leaf regrowth stage [LS], respectively). Herbage mass production was 15% higher in the Mx, mainly due to an increase in production in spring and summer. In spring, there was complementarity growth between the species, while during summer/early autumn, the Mx production relayed in the higher participation of Bv. Root biomass at depth (31–70 cm) was 38% greater for Bv monoculture and the Mx compared with Lp monoculture, which demonstrated the contribution of Bv to a better production of the mixture during and following the dry periods. In addition, the maintenance of the Bv tiller population and the higher growth rate during dry periods demonstrated its better fitness to low soil water availabilities than Lp. Although herbage mass was not modified by the defoliation frequency, forage quality of Bv showed values at low defoliation frequency that could compromise animal production during spring. However, there was an increase in root biomass under low defoliation frequencies, which suggested that a flexible grazing management across seasons would increase the niche utilisation between species in the mixture. The defoliation frequency of the mixture could be based on Lp LS during spring and winter, and slowed down, following Bv criteria, during summer and autumn.     

Sward Height and a Capacitance Probe for Estimating Herbage Mass

Estimation of herbage mass is essential in pasture research and in making practical grazing management decisions. Sward height and a capacitance probe were evaluated as non-destructive measures of herbage mass at seven dates from April 16 to July 30 on continuously grazed predominantly Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) pasture. Paddocks were 1 ha in size and were stocked at 3, 4 or 5 steers ha⁻¹ (average initial weight 312 kg). Four to six, sampling points were located randomly in each paddock at each date. Sward height was measured with a ruler, the vegetation in a 0.2 nr area visually designated "high" or "low" according to legume percentage, ten readings using a single capacitance probe were made and the herbage clipped. Paired data with clipped dry weight as dependent variable and height and/or the average corrected probe reading as covariates were analyzed statistically. The relationship between clipped dry weight and nondestructive measures of herbage mass was found to be linear. There was a small effect of sampling date in Spring on the relationship between destructive and non-destructive measures of herbage mass, but each of the measures, including herbage mass predicted from probe and height measurements, resulted in the same inferences being made about differences between treatments. Neither stocking rate nor small differences in percentage legume affected the relationship. Thus, sward height and capacitance probe show promise as nondestructive measures of pasture herbage mass.