Dry Matter Production and its Process in Orchardgrass Sward : 2. Effects of cutting height on growth

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  • オーチャードグラス草地の乾物生産と生産過程 : 2.刈取り高さの影響
  • 刈取り高さの影響
  • カ トリダカ サ ノ エイキョウ

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Abstract

A lot of studies on the effects of cutting height have been made in many countries, but no consistent results were obtained. In Japan, HIROSE et al and WATANABE et al reported that higher height of cutting was favorable than lower one, which was reported by REID, HUOKUNA, etc. In the present study effects of cutting height in orchardgrass sward were investigated not only yield (Y) but also on net production (P_n), Y/P_n ratio, dry weight of leaf blade, leaf sheath, stem, and root, leaf area index (LAI), relative leaf growth rate, specific leaf area, net assimilation rate (NAR), crop growth rate (CGR) and relative growth rate. The experimental cutting height were 7cm (close) and 15cm (lax) from ground level. Y per year in lax cutting was lower than that in close cutting by 20%, whereas P_n per year was nearly the same in both plots. The cutting height influenced on both P_n and Y/P_n ratio and the effect of cutting upon P_n and Y/P_n ratio varied by season. In summer, lax cutting had higher P_n and Y/P_n ratio than close cutting. On the contrary, close cutting was superior than lax cutting in autumn in these respects. Both close and lax cutting had merits and demerits for growth characteristics and these relative merits of cutting treatment vary by climate and soil condition, species comprising the sward and system of sward management. The beneficial effects of lax cutting can be summaried as follows, 1) larger leaf area remaining after cutting, 2) heavier root weight and 3) more reserve substances than close cutting. On the other hand, beneficial effects of close cutting were, 1) higher RGR in the early stage of regrowth, 2) higher NAR, 3) higher Y/P_n ratio, and 4) lower C/F ratio than lax cutting. It was concluded that in southern Japan lax cutting was favorable in summer, since high temperature inhibit regrowth after cutting.

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