Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
The management of post-harvest residues of seed crops of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) was studied at Mt. Cotton, southeast Queensland. Cutting and burning using moderate (4-8 t ha-1) fuel loads gave similar seed yields to cutting and removing residues, but a higher fuel load which increased fire duration decreased tiller and inflorescence density and seed yield. Tiller density was negatively related to the duration of the interval between cutting and burning. Cutting close to ground level and removing litter increased tiller density. Tillering virtually ceased 25 days after cutting or burning when floral initiation had occurred, and only tillers produced in the first 15 days contributed significantly to seed yield. Hierarchical and compensatory effects in seed crops were evident in tillering, tiller survival, raceme and spikelet differentiation, but tiller fertility, seed setting and 100-seed weight were less influenced by management.
Citation
Stur, W W. and Humphreys, L R., "Burning, Cutting and the Structure of Seed Yield in Brachiaria decumbens" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 44.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses2/44)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Burning, Cutting and the Structure of Seed Yield in Brachiaria decumbens
Kyoto Japan
The management of post-harvest residues of seed crops of signal grass (Brachiaria decumbens cv. Basilisk) was studied at Mt. Cotton, southeast Queensland. Cutting and burning using moderate (4-8 t ha-1) fuel loads gave similar seed yields to cutting and removing residues, but a higher fuel load which increased fire duration decreased tiller and inflorescence density and seed yield. Tiller density was negatively related to the duration of the interval between cutting and burning. Cutting close to ground level and removing litter increased tiller density. Tillering virtually ceased 25 days after cutting or burning when floral initiation had occurred, and only tillers produced in the first 15 days contributed significantly to seed yield. Hierarchical and compensatory effects in seed crops were evident in tillering, tiller survival, raceme and spikelet differentiation, but tiller fertility, seed setting and 100-seed weight were less influenced by management.
