Growth factors and management technique used in relation to the developmental rhythm and yield formation pattern of a pure grass stand

• Main Author: Seppo Pulli
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Scientific Agricultural Society of Finland 1980-05-01
• Series: Agricultural and Food Science
• Online Access: https://journal.fi/afs/article/view/72036
• ISSN: 1459-6067; 1795-1895

The investigation of meadow fescue as a forage crop was carried out at the University of Helsinki in Viikki in 1975—78. The main objective was to study the rhythm of the growth and yield formation pattern of a stand and the relationship between growth pattern and growth factors during different phases of the growing season. The management techniques studied were the number of cuttings, use of nitrogen, requirements of population density and the relationships of management factors to the changes in the quantity and quality of forage yield. The most important growth factors in the seeding year spring and autumn development were the temperature sum and the total radiation available to the plant and nitrogen fertilization beyond the temperature sum range of ∑ 500° C, respectively. During the production years the most important variables in the spring growth were the growing time, the temperature sum and the total radiation. The midsummer and autumn growth were mostly influenced by the total precipitation, amount of nitrogen for the cut and the precipitation during the week before the prior cut. For spring, summer and autumn growth one unit increase in LAI created a DM yield increase of 715, 500 and 315 ha-1 respectively. Increasing the cutting frequency from two to four decreased the total DM yield 2527 kg ha-1. The protein content and DM cellulase digestibility increased 4.8 and 13.3 % units respectively. Increasing nitrogen from 130 to 260 kg N ha-1 raised DM and protein yields 1 110 and 485 kg ha-1, the protein content and DM cellulase digestibility 4.2 and 1.4% units. The seeding rate requirements for the maximum DM yield were 60 kg ha-1 in the seeding year, 15—30 kg ha-1 in the second year and 15 kg ha-1 in the third year. The management system involving a seed rate of 30 kg ha-1, 3—4 cuts and 260 kg N ha-1 is recommended.