Publication Date
1997
Description
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between visual and quantitative estimates of the morphological development of perennial grass swards. Pure stands of intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey] and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were hand-clipped to ground level at 2-wk intervals in 1991 at Mead, NE, morphologically classified as mean stage count (MSC), and visually estimated for sward development. Visual estimations of sward development for both species were representative of quantitative measurements during vegetative growth. However, as sward development advanced to the elongation and heading stages, visual methods over-estimated the population maturity. The morphological development of perennial forage grasses can be visually estimated during vegetative growth. However, more quantitative and less subjective measurements are necessary to compensate for the visual dominance of elongating and reproductive tillers.
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Relationship of Visual and Quantitative Methods of Grass Sward Development
The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between visual and quantitative estimates of the morphological development of perennial grass swards. Pure stands of intermediate wheatgrass [Thinopyrum intermedium (Host) Barkw. & D.R. Dewey] and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) were hand-clipped to ground level at 2-wk intervals in 1991 at Mead, NE, morphologically classified as mean stage count (MSC), and visually estimated for sward development. Visual estimations of sward development for both species were representative of quantitative measurements during vegetative growth. However, as sward development advanced to the elongation and heading stages, visual methods over-estimated the population maturity. The morphological development of perennial forage grasses can be visually estimated during vegetative growth. However, more quantitative and less subjective measurements are necessary to compensate for the visual dominance of elongating and reproductive tillers.
