Abstract
If the semi-natural Miscanthus sward should be utilized for livestock feeding without renovation, the most efficient management practice may be fertilization, since the productivity was effectively increased by it, although the increment was progressively decreased as the level of fertilization was increased. With or without fertilization, the sward production was sharply declined with increased cutting frequency, resulting in a bracken (Pteridium aquilinum) prominent sward, at which the growth of Miscanthus plant decreased and the growth of other available grasses (Arundinella hirta, Spodiopogon sibiricus) increased. One cutting at heading time of Miscanthus plant could maintain the sward persistence with a high level of dry matter production (12 tons per ha) for many years because of vigorous growth of Miscanthus plant, whereas the herbage may not be used efficiently for feed since the plant was too matured with low digestibility and palatability. The productivity in terms of dry matter and crude protein yield of feed herbage of the renovated orchardgrass-ladino clover mixture was always higher than that of the Miscanthus sward cut 2 or 3 times during a season. When the latter sward is grazed, the productivity difference between the two swards may be far more increased, because the cattle may intake the palatable plants selectively and their regrowth may be depressed under the canopy of unpalatable plants, thus resulting in the lesser production of available herbage than that obtained by cuttings. Therefore it may be concluded that the Miscanthus sward should be renovated to appropriate artificial sward as far as the feed production is concerned.
