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FOR 536 P3: Mid term effects of grazing intensity on yield formation and forage quality in grassland ecosystems in Inner Mongolia with special reference to water supply
Project
Project code: DFG FOR 536
Contract period: 01.01.2004
- 01.01.2016
Purpose of research: Basic research
The objective for the second phase of the project is (1) to ensure the identification of plant related indicators after two years utilization, which can be used as tools to understand the dynamics of degradation and (2) to calibrate yield- and herbagequality- models. The experimental design will be extended in order to analyze the effect of sufficient soil moisture conditions (irrigation treatments) on growth and forage quality.
1. The agronomic measurements as performed in the first phase will be maintained, i.e. LAI, botanical composition, DM-, N- and energy yield, vegetation cover and tiller density of the dominant species. Additionally, sward height measurement is included in order to estimate the DM yield. First calibrations are convincing. Thus, sward height measurements will be used to characterize the evenness of herbage vertical structure in the paddocks due to grazing intensity and grazing system.
2. The measurements of forage quality will also be maintained as started in the first project phase. This involves: neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), crude protein (CP), crude ash, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), in vitro digestibility of OM (celullase method) and gas production. In vitro methods are the main measurements for the comparison and validation of in vivo data generated by P4. Measurements will be done on the species and on the community level.
3. Collected data on growth and feed quality will be used to parameterize the dynamic model FOPROQ for the conditions of Inner Mongolia. This model is part of the model MAGIM framework, which will finally be used for regionalization.
4. The importance of water availability limiting higher productivity in the grazed areas will be investigated with an irrigation experiment. The irrigation experiment will be performed within exclosure cages in selected grazing intensities of the mixed system in order to deliver data for an extended model parameterization of FOPROQ.
Section overview
Subjects
- Soil science
