Two-dimensional monitoring of spatial distribution of herbage mass in a bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Fluegge) pasture grazed with cattle
2001
Ogura, S. (Miyazaki Univ. (Japan). Faculty of Agriculture) | Hirata, M.
Spatial distribution of herbage mass (HM) was monitored two-dimensionally during the grazing season (from May to November) in a bahiagrass pasture (1.06ha) rotationally grazed by cattle. An electronic capacitance probe was used to estimate HM in 1464 permanent positions (50*50cm) whose centers formed 1.5*1.5m grids in the central 90*34.5m area of the pasture. The twodimensional charting of HM showed almost stable spatial patterns throughout the grazing season, with some patches of high HM appearing and disappearing. The development of new patches was considered to be partly due to the avoidance of areas affected by newly deposited dung pats, and the extinction of patches to the grazing down of areas where dung pats were disappearing or had disappeared. Spatial pattern analysis proposed by DALE and MACISAAC (1989) for HM along a 90m permanent line transect showed larger patch and gap sizes than the grid interval in the two-dimensional monitoring (1.5m). It is concluded that the technique is useful for monitoring the spatial pattern of HM, herbage production and consumption, and for relating consumption to the ingestive behavior of grazing animals.
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