Forage Density Gauging with Sr 90 for Estimating Green Forage Yield in situ
1968
Barta, A. L. | Teare, I. D.
An accurate and reliable technique for estimating green forage yield in situ has been developed which utilizes beta particle attenuation by plant material. This technique involves the attenuation of beta particles from a strontium-90 source by the vegetative mass of a forage stand. By measuring the intensity of the transmitted beta beam through different forage stands, a yield calibration curve was made which relates green forage yield to counts per minute. It was also found that the slope of the yield calibration curve was independent of the three crops tested as well as moisture content, thereby allowing a single yield calibration curve to be used for all forages. A field instrument was constructed to measure the practical value of density gauging to estimate green forage yield. Regression analysis of the experimental field data showed that this method accounted for 86% of the variation in yield and affirmed its usefulness in pasture research.
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