Studies on the Grass Productivity and Nutritive Value as Affected by Cutting Management in Spring III. Effects of the first harvesting times and the regrowth periods on grass regrowth, dry matter yield and botanical composition in pawture mixtures

혼파초지에서 봄철 예취방법에 따른 목초의 생산성과 사료가치 비교연구 III. 1차 이용시기와 재생기간이 목초의 재생과 건물수량 및 식생구성비율에 미치는 영향

This experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of the first harvesting times and regrowth periods after the fist harvest on grass regrowth, dry matter (DM) yield and botanical composition in pasture mixtures during 1987 and 1988. For the test, a split plot design with 3 replications was treated with 3 different first harvesting times (vegetative, stem elongation and heading stage) and 3 different regrowth periods (20, 30 and 40 days) after first harvest. Although the total DM yield of grasses was decreased slightly with earlier cutting, the regrowth DM yield and the regrowth plant height was increased significantly with earlier cutting (p < 0.05). Also, the 30 days of regrowth periods was contributed greatly to the regrowth and the DM yield. The percentage of legumes Tmainly red clover) in botanical composition was increased with later initial harvest anrl longer regrowth period after first harvest. Based on the results, it is suggested that good grass regrowth and seasonal distribution could be achieved by the earlier harvest at fist and the regrowth period of 30 days after first harvest in spring.