Publication Date
1993
Description
Based on the concept of biological thresholds, there is growing acceptance 0£ the importance o£ episodic events in the determination of rangeland condition trend. The variable rainfall occurring within Australian rangelands means that overstocking during droughts is a major cause of these Australian rangeland vegetation complexes exceeding these thresholds. Recently plant production models and simplistic estimates of the relationship between animal utilisation and plant mortality became available. Accurate estimates will be developed only with the incorporation of a sound mechanistic understanding of the relationship between utilisation of forage and plant mortality for different conditions of species and soils. Detailed studies of defoliation of tropical grasses have shown the necessity for these species to maintain LAI, especially under grazing. Coupling of this information with pasture production models will enable development of quantifiable risk analysis of specific stocking rates on Individual sward types, and the use of Geographic Information System technology and resource evaluation is being developed for use in large properties.
Citation
Mott, J J.; Mckeon, G K.; and Day, K A., "Prediction of Plant Mortality Under Grazing- A Conceptual Approach" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 10.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session8/10
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Prediction of Plant Mortality Under Grazing- A Conceptual Approach
Based on the concept of biological thresholds, there is growing acceptance 0£ the importance o£ episodic events in the determination of rangeland condition trend. The variable rainfall occurring within Australian rangelands means that overstocking during droughts is a major cause of these Australian rangeland vegetation complexes exceeding these thresholds. Recently plant production models and simplistic estimates of the relationship between animal utilisation and plant mortality became available. Accurate estimates will be developed only with the incorporation of a sound mechanistic understanding of the relationship between utilisation of forage and plant mortality for different conditions of species and soils. Detailed studies of defoliation of tropical grasses have shown the necessity for these species to maintain LAI, especially under grazing. Coupling of this information with pasture production models will enable development of quantifiable risk analysis of specific stocking rates on Individual sward types, and the use of Geographic Information System technology and resource evaluation is being developed for use in large properties.
