Theme 22: Grazing Management
Description
In a temperate grassland of the Argentine Pampa, the birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus tenuis Waldst. et Kit) distribution was analyzed as a consequence of the grazing method used. In a plot of 40 ha occupied by native grassland an area of 16 ha was implanted with reed canary grass (Phalaris aquatica L.) and L. tenuis. This area was divided into two parts that contained the same pasture and native grassland surfaces, being grazed by horses. One, under continuous grazing and another one, under a controlled grazing. In the continuous grazing the whole year the animals had permanently access to the pasture and the native grassland. In the controlled grazing the pasture and the native grassland were alternated weekly. Floristic censuses were carried out and the plant cover was determined. At the beginning of the experience, October 1994, the pasture showed a homogeneous plant cover, 15% of L. tenuis and 30% of P. aquatica, meanwhile in the native grassland their presence was not registered. At the end of the experience, October 1998, under continuous grazing, in the pasture as well as in the native grassland, both species presented the same cover, 1%. On the contrary, the cover of the L. tenuis, 20% in the pasture and 10% in the native grassland, and of P. aquatica, 30% and 10% respectively, under controlled grazing were grater. The nutritive value and the forage availability of the native grassland were improved (3,584 kg.ha-1 of DM under controlled grazing versus 1,187 kg.ha-1 under continuous grazing).
Included in
Horses Grazing Management to Promote Distribution of Lotus tenuis (Waldst. et Kit) in a Temperate Grassland
In a temperate grassland of the Argentine Pampa, the birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus tenuis Waldst. et Kit) distribution was analyzed as a consequence of the grazing method used. In a plot of 40 ha occupied by native grassland an area of 16 ha was implanted with reed canary grass (Phalaris aquatica L.) and L. tenuis. This area was divided into two parts that contained the same pasture and native grassland surfaces, being grazed by horses. One, under continuous grazing and another one, under a controlled grazing. In the continuous grazing the whole year the animals had permanently access to the pasture and the native grassland. In the controlled grazing the pasture and the native grassland were alternated weekly. Floristic censuses were carried out and the plant cover was determined. At the beginning of the experience, October 1994, the pasture showed a homogeneous plant cover, 15% of L. tenuis and 30% of P. aquatica, meanwhile in the native grassland their presence was not registered. At the end of the experience, October 1998, under continuous grazing, in the pasture as well as in the native grassland, both species presented the same cover, 1%. On the contrary, the cover of the L. tenuis, 20% in the pasture and 10% in the native grassland, and of P. aquatica, 30% and 10% respectively, under controlled grazing were grater. The nutritive value and the forage availability of the native grassland were improved (3,584 kg.ha-1 of DM under controlled grazing versus 1,187 kg.ha-1 under continuous grazing).
