Publication Date
1993
Description
Concurrent trials were conducted to measure pasture production and botanical composition at I, 4, 7, 10, and 13 m from the trunks of poplars, willows and eucalypts planted at wide spacings to arrest soil erosion on hill country near Gisborne, Hunterville and Masterton, respectively, in the North Island of New Zealand. Results after 3 years indicated a depression in grass+legume dry matter (DM) yield as the tree is approached, averaging 98, 92, 93, and 79% of that at 13 m (assumed to be unaffected by the tree) for 10, 7, 4, and 1 m respectively. The depressed yield at I m was statistically significant. Yields on the sunny sides of the trees (in each case planted on sunny aspects) were not significantly different from those on the shady sides. Differences between yield trends under different tree genera are discussed. A method of estimating pasture suppression at varying tree spacings based on this data is presented.
Citation
Neal Gilchrist, A; DeZ Hall, J R.; and Foote, A G., "Pasture Growth Around Broad-Leaved Trees Planted for Grassland Stability" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 10.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session56/10
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Pasture Growth Around Broad-Leaved Trees Planted for Grassland Stability
Concurrent trials were conducted to measure pasture production and botanical composition at I, 4, 7, 10, and 13 m from the trunks of poplars, willows and eucalypts planted at wide spacings to arrest soil erosion on hill country near Gisborne, Hunterville and Masterton, respectively, in the North Island of New Zealand. Results after 3 years indicated a depression in grass+legume dry matter (DM) yield as the tree is approached, averaging 98, 92, 93, and 79% of that at 13 m (assumed to be unaffected by the tree) for 10, 7, 4, and 1 m respectively. The depressed yield at I m was statistically significant. Yields on the sunny sides of the trees (in each case planted on sunny aspects) were not significantly different from those on the shady sides. Differences between yield trends under different tree genera are discussed. A method of estimating pasture suppression at varying tree spacings based on this data is presented.
