Leaf dispersion and light capture in three-dimensionally digitized white clover in field conditions

The simulation of the productivity and stability of grazing systems requires to relate herbage consumption, vegetation state and sward growth by functional relationships (Hodgson and Illius,1996). Sward growth is frequently simulated from light intercepted by leaf area and photosynthesis or light use efficiency (Johnson and Parsons, 1985; Hutching and Gordon, 2001). Some recent approaches on grazing management (Demment et al., 1995; Parson et al., 2000) underline the need to establish these relationships on a daily basis and at a local scale i.e. the size of one or some bites by the grazing animal.