The effect of clipping to simulate pasturing winter wheat on the growth, yield, and quality of the crop

Cutler, G.H.; Pavez S, D.; Mulvey, R.R.

The effect of clipping to simulate pasturing winter wheat on the growth, yield, and quality of the crop

1949

Cutler, G.H. | Pavez S, D. | Mulvey, R.R.

1. Clipping treatments to simulate pasturing winter wheat were carried out in the spring of 1945 on Brookston silty clay loam of rather high fertility, and in the spring of 1946 on Crosby silt loam of relatively low fertility. 2. On the Brookston soil, under very favorable temperature and rainfall conditions in March and April, the clipping treatments covering the period of April 1 to April 20 significantly increased the yield and quality of the grain; clipping treatments after this date greatly reduced the yield. 3. On the Crosby silt loam soil, under very favorable temperatures and rain fall in March but with less favorable weather conditions in April, all clipping treatments were followed by significantly reduced yields when compared with no treatment. 4. Reduction in plant height is directly correlated with delayed clipping. 5. Reduction in plant height in the clipped plant due to the reduction in length of the lower internodes. 6. The reduction in plant height combined with shortness of the lower internodes is closely related to lodging resistance. 7. The low lodging percentages are associated with an improved test weight and size of grain. 8. The maturity of the winter wheat crop (Fairfield) was delayed from no days to 5 days depending on date and number of clippings. 9. The clipping treatments with 29 to 31 days in the fruiting period yielded more than those with 24 to 27 days in the fruiting period. 10. From these rather limited data, it seems fair to conclude that when the weather conditions in Indiana in early spring (March and April) are very favorable and a rapid growth of plants is stimulated, clipping or pasturing in April may reduce plant height and increase lodging resistance.

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