The influence of defoliation height on dry-matter partitioning and CO2 exchange of perennial ryegrass miniature swards

This study investigated the effects of defoliation intensity on the above- and below-ground plant mass, rates of CO₂ exchange and leaf appearance rate of ryegrass miniature swards maintained at constant cutting height ranging from 20 mm to 160 mm for 5 months. Total plant mass, above-ground herbage mass and root mass increased as cutting height increased from 20 to 120 mm. Further increase in cutting height did not increase total plant mass or its components. Leaf appearance rate and photosynthesis per unit of leaf dry matter (DM) decreased as defoliation height increased from 20 to 160 mm. Gross and net CO₂ uptake per unit soil surface area increased with cutting height to 120 mm. Further increase in cutting height to 160 mm decreased gross and net CO₂ uptake and herbage harvested. A multivariate canonical discriminant analysis indicated different responses of root and shoot mass to cutting height and a reduction in CO₂ uptake rate at the 160 mm cutting height. The implications of those responses to defoliation management of forage plants are discussed.