Grassland Management Impact on Soil Degradation and Herbage Nutritional Value in a Temperate Humid Environment

Copper complexes in grassland herbage.

Leaf area relationships to plant vegetative characteristics in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown in a temperate sub-humid environment

Measurement or estimation of leaf area is essential for understanding crop responses to experimental treatments. The objective of this study was to develop regression models for estimating leaf area of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) from measurements of leaf dry weight (LDW), vegetative components (stems and leaves) dry weight (VDW) and plant height (PH). Three cotton cultivars (Del...

Impact of Grazing on Soil Biota in a Mediterranean Grassland

The effect of cattle grazing on the soil nematode and protozoan communities, and on microbial biomass, was measured in Israel’s northern highlands. Three grazing areas were compared: (1) with 1 1 cow ha 1 y ; (2) 0 55 cow ha 1 y ; and (3) control—no grazing for almost 18 years. Soil samples were collected from the upper 10 cm level of each area (n1⁄4 24), in autumn, before the onset of the rain...

Temperature and soil moisture interactively affected soil net N mineralization in temperate grassland in Northern China

Intact soil cores from three adjacent sites (Site A: grazed, Site B: fenced for 4 years, and Site C: fenced for 24 years) were incubated in the laboratory to examine effects of temperature, soil moisture, and their interactions on net nitrification and N mineralization rates in the Inner Mongolia grassland of Northern China. Incubation temperature significantly influenced net nitrification and ...

Stocking rate, precipitation, and herbage production on sand sagebrush-grassland

Knowledge of the relationship between stocking rate or grazing intensity and plant production is fundamental to the sustainable management of rangelands. The general management paradigm is that plant production declines as stocking rate increases. Our objective was to determine the impact of stocking rate on herbaceous production of a sand sagebrush (Artemisia filifolia Torr.)grassland. Stockin...