Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
The aim of this study is to improve understanding of sward responses to grazing manipulation so that objective guidelines for management may be provided. Rates of growth and senescence per tiller, tiller population densities and the photosynthetic efficiency of the sward canopy were measured at intervals on Lolium perenne dominated swards under contrasting management regimes involving steady-state and controlled fluctuations in sward conditions. The results suggest that the combination of changes in tiller populations, sward structure and photosynthetic efficiency and in the balance between growth and senescence per tiller act as a buffer such that net production varies little within the limits of good management. The benefits of management systems which include an element of sward control as opposed to fixed numbers of animals are highlighted.
Citation
Grant, S A.; King, J; and Barthram, G T., "The Role of Sward Adaptations in Buffering Herbage Production Responses to Management Manipulation" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 20.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses11/20)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
The Role of Sward Adaptations in Buffering Herbage Production Responses to Management Manipulation
Kyoto Japan
The aim of this study is to improve understanding of sward responses to grazing manipulation so that objective guidelines for management may be provided. Rates of growth and senescence per tiller, tiller population densities and the photosynthetic efficiency of the sward canopy were measured at intervals on Lolium perenne dominated swards under contrasting management regimes involving steady-state and controlled fluctuations in sward conditions. The results suggest that the combination of changes in tiller populations, sward structure and photosynthetic efficiency and in the balance between growth and senescence per tiller act as a buffer such that net production varies little within the limits of good management. The benefits of management systems which include an element of sward control as opposed to fixed numbers of animals are highlighted.
