Dry Matter Production of Forage Plants : IX. The effects of cutting frequency and manuring amount on the dry matter production of forage plants

Abstract

In this paper, selecting tall fescue (Festica arundinacea SCHR.) as a test plant among the forage grasses which indicate sensitive response for the manure, we examined interaction between cutting frequency and manuring amount on the dry matter production experimentally and theoretically from the viewpoint of CO_2 balance in plant population. The results are as follows: 1. It was clear experimentally that the manuring effect on the efficiency of dry matter production of tall fescue was shown more intensely under the high frequency of cutting than under the low frequency. 2. Among the many factors relating to the dry matter production of forage grass, the manuring effect was mainly shown on the amount of photosynthesis of single leaf and on the rate of leaf area increase after cutting. These two factors acted advantageously on the dry matter production under the heavy manuring condition. 3. The amount of dry matter production and crop growth rate (CGR) under various manuring conditions were calculated by eq. (8) and (9). It was also clear from the viewpoint of CO_2 balance in forage plant population that the manuring effects on the efficiency of dry matter production were shown more intensely in the case of high frequency of cutting.