Effects of mowing regimes on forage yield and crude protein of <i>Leymus chinensis</i> (Trin.) Tzvel in Songnen grassland

Forage dry matter (DM) yield and its nutrient content are important in livestock nutrition; however, they have distinct, even opposite responses to mowing regimes. To optimize forage resources, two independent field experiments were conducted determine effects of initial time (15-day intervals from May 15 September 1) frequency (one five times per year) on DM nutritive value Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel. The greatest cumulative (cDMY), pre-mowing crude protein (pCPY) (cCPY) attained when occurred July August 15. (CP) concentration pDMY was higher, whereas fiber concentrations lower, June 15, with results the delayed (July 1 30). When three annually, cDMY cCPY L. higher (p < .05) than less frequent mowing. With more mowings, accumulated CP not significantly affected. four or yearly decreased compared one times. In conclusion, based value, optimal date ranged yearly.