Effect of Cutting Height on Tiller Population Density and Herbage Biomass of Buffel Grass

Effect of Cutting Height on Tiller Population Density and Herbage Biomass of Buffel Grass

The aim of this trial was to investigate the effect of different cutting heights on tiller population density and herbage biomass of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris L) grown in miniature swards in a greenhouse. Four treatments with five replicates: five cm, ten cm, and 20 cm cutting height, and control (without cut) were randomly allocated. Intensity of defoliation affected the cumulative herbage harvested; the ten cm cutting height was greater (404.1 g DM m^-2) than 5 cm (317.6 g DM m^-2) and 20 cm (263.9 g DM m^-2), respectively. Cumulative herbage harvested in the control, increased progressively until September; from then onwards tended to decrease. At the end of the trial, the highest tiller population density was found at five cm cutting height with 28 %, 48 % and 71 % more tillers than ten cm, 20 cm and control, respectively. Herbage mass at five cm and ten cm cutting height, were greater for tiller population density and herbage harvested than 20 cm and control (α< 0.05).