Seasonal Changes in Herbage Weight in an Annual Grass Community

Abstract

Herbage production is important to all concerned with range land. The range conservationist aims to grow the largest amount that can be used efficiently. The rancher must do the harvesting. The research worker tries to evaluate the herbage production processes. All are interested in the rate of herbage growth, the maximum production reached, and the decline in available herbage during the dry season. Much research into the California annual type stipulates sampling at the time of maximum weight. If the moment of maximum herbage weight is short a lengthy period of sampling may confound normal seasonal changes with pasture or treatment differences. A normal decline of herbage weight following maturity is a loss of forage that may be falsely attributed to grazing. This study was concerned with the problems of how long herbage weights of species and of the plant community remained at or near maximum and the magni-1 Currently Rang e Conservationist

Phenological Patterns and Adaptations in an Artemisia/Agropyron Plant Community

“…Sampling periods should, therefore, correspond to the growth period(s) of specific phenological groups containing these key management species. Less precise sampling schemes necessarily confound maximum herbage production with normal, seasonal changes in herbage accumulation and/ or weathering (Ratliff and Heady 1962). Similarly, proper livestock stocking rates within pastures should be based on forage available during the period of grazing rather than on peak forage production, which may occur either before or after period(s) of livestock grazing.…”

Responses of Annual Vegetation to Temperature and Rainfall Patterns in Northern California

“…percent composition also positively correlated with freezing temperatures during the early fall period marked by September, October, and November (Tables 3 and 4). Ratliff and Heady (1962) indicated that Bromus mollis initiated growth sooner than other species in the annual type. The change from beneficial to detrimental influences of freezing temperatures occurs some time during November.…”

“…Ratliff and Heady (1962) studied the effect of phenological development of annual species and observed that some species began their most rapid period of growth earlier than others, and some lost weight earlier than others. Ratliff and Heady (1962) studied the effect of phenological development of annual species and observed that some species began their most rapid period of growth earlier than others, and some lost weight earlier than others.…”

“…Weather patterns also influence relative botanical composition of the annual type within each growing season. Ratliff and Heady (1962) studied the effect of phenological development of annual species and observed that some species began their most rapid period of growth earlier than others, and some lost weight earlier than others. The sequence of maturity was consistent and predictable from one year to the next.…”

Mediterranean pasture dynamics: the role of germination

“…The influence of temperature and rainfall patterns on the floristic composition and biomass of mediterranean pastures is well known (e.g. Ratliff & Heady 1962;Hooper & Heady 1970;Murphy 1970;Duncan & Woodmansee 1975). Talbot, Biswell & Hormay (1939) differentiated grass, filarée and clover years, which are closely correlated with precipitation.…”