Publication Date

1997

Description

The objective of our study was to assess the effect of four different defoliation frequencies upon the digestible dry matter (DDM) yield of tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) during the spring season in Balcarce, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Four sets of three plots in a wheatgrass dominated pasture were defoliated every 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Neither total pasture nor wheatgrass DM yields accumulated throughout the experimental period differed (p>0.05) among treatments. DMivD of wheatgrass declined (p<0.05) through time in all treatments. The accumulated DDM yield differed (p< 0.05) among treatments (F7=967.6b; F14= 1036.6ab; F21= 1167.6ab; F28= 1419.0a DDM kg ha-1). A 28 day defoliation frequency should be applied to tall wheatgrass to obtain the highest digestible dry matter yields.

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Defoliation Effects on Digestible Dry Matter Yield of Tall Wheatgrass

The objective of our study was to assess the effect of four different defoliation frequencies upon the digestible dry matter (DDM) yield of tall wheatgrass (Thinopyrum ponticum) during the spring season in Balcarce, Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Four sets of three plots in a wheatgrass dominated pasture were defoliated every 7, 14, 21 and 28 days. Neither total pasture nor wheatgrass DM yields accumulated throughout the experimental period differed (p>0.05) among treatments. DMivD of wheatgrass declined (p<0.05) through time in all treatments. The accumulated DDM yield differed (p< 0.05) among treatments (F7=967.6b; F14= 1036.6ab; F21= 1167.6ab; F28= 1419.0a DDM kg ha-1). A 28 day defoliation frequency should be applied to tall wheatgrass to obtain the highest digestible dry matter yields.