Authors

L. A. Stoddart

Document Type

Full Issue

Publication Date

6-1946

Abstract

Management of arid western ranges must be based upon the physiology of the individual plants which constitute the range. Too little is known of the ability of range plants to continue normal functioning under stress of grazing. Grazing doubtless has some beneficial influences in arid climates because it reduces transpiring surface. Possibly "pruning" has some stimulating effect, especially upon shrubs, and also, grazing animals plant seeds through trampling action. Despite these possible benefits, both trampling and removal of herbage by grazing must be .regarded as fundamentally detrimental to the welfare of plants, especially in arid climates. Trampling, especially on wet soils during early spring months, is injurious to both mature plants and new seedlings; however, in general, removal of herbage is probably far more injurious. Ability of the individual plant to withstand herbage removal appears to be basically important in range conservation.

Studying effect of grazing by artificial means, such as clipping the herbage with shears, has been criticised, yet it seems the most sound method of studying forage plant physiology, since clipping permits accurate measurement of herbage yield. The experiment reported herein was designed to test the basic response of a single grass species to herbage removal at various seasons as measured by forage production and chemical composition.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.