Theme 18: Agro-Silvipastoral Systems
Publication Date
2001
Location
Brazil
Description
Experiments were carried out in New Zealand with 11 year-old alder (Alnus chordata) on lowland pasture, and with 30+ year-old poplar (Populus spp) on hill pasture. Alder tree shade decreased (P< 0.001) tiller density and total herbage harvested, with the highest tiller density at the lowest shade level of 41% canopy closure (DifN 0.59). Net herbage accumulation (NHA) directly under a poplar canopy was 35% of the NHA of open pasture, but NHA in canopy gaps increased with gap size. These results suggested that keeping canopy closure percentage in the 40-50% range for a deciduous tree silvopastoral system, would maintain pasture production and tiller density at approximately two-thirds of that of unshaded pasture.
Citation
Devkota, N. R.; Wall, A. J.; Kemp, Peter D.; and Hodgson, J., "Relationship between Canopy Closure and Pasture Production in Deciduous Tree Based Temperate Silvopastoral Systems" (2001). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 4.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/18/4)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Relationship between Canopy Closure and Pasture Production in Deciduous Tree Based Temperate Silvopastoral Systems
Brazil
Experiments were carried out in New Zealand with 11 year-old alder (Alnus chordata) on lowland pasture, and with 30+ year-old poplar (Populus spp) on hill pasture. Alder tree shade decreased (P< 0.001) tiller density and total herbage harvested, with the highest tiller density at the lowest shade level of 41% canopy closure (DifN 0.59). Net herbage accumulation (NHA) directly under a poplar canopy was 35% of the NHA of open pasture, but NHA in canopy gaps increased with gap size. These results suggested that keeping canopy closure percentage in the 40-50% range for a deciduous tree silvopastoral system, would maintain pasture production and tiller density at approximately two-thirds of that of unshaded pasture.
