Production and quality norms of certain grass species for fodder flow planning: Pretoria area |
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| Authors: | JO Grunow JW Rabie |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Plant Production , University of Pretoria , Pretoria, 0002;2. 11 Arundel Street, Hermanus, 7200 |
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| Abstract: | Abstract Four subtropical (Cenchrus. Digitaria, Anthephora and Sorghum) and two temperate grass species (Festuca. Agrotricum) were grown in a replicated field experiment at three levels of N application, with adequate P and K. Species were mown at 4‐, 6‐ and 8‐weekly intervals. DM production data for 6‐ and 8‐weekly and 4‐ and 6‐weekly intervals are presented for subtropicals and temperates, respectively. The object was to determine the seasonal accumulative DM production curves, productivity spread and quality, for use in fodder flow planning. The subtropical grasses produced 2 to 3 times as much DM as the temperate grasses : CGR 745—1237 versus 345—440 kg/ha/wk under supplementary irrigation. The subtropicals produced ca 2{h times as much under irrigation than under rainfed conditions. Festuca and Agrotricum, Digitaria. Athephora and Sorghum, Cenchrus, gave peak CGR's after 9, 15, 16 and 18 weeks after end of August, respectively. Irrigation resulted in peak CGR being reached earlier in the growing season than under rainfed conditions and in subtropicals maintaining a high CGR for 1½ — 2½ months longer. Various implications of the results for pasture management, and the fact that quality and DM yield generally are antagonistic in subtropical grasses, were discussed. |
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| Keywords: | Herbage yield productivity quality subtropical grasses temperate grasses |
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