Two locations were chosen at the highland of Northern Kanto district to investigate the plant type of orchardgrass cultivars well adaptable to the mountainous pastures. Three cultivars of orchardgrass with different plant types were sown singly or in a mixture of two or three of them, with perennial ryegrass and white clover in all plots. Each sward of different locations was divided into two parts, one grazed by either heifers or sheep and the other clipped by hand, several times every year. Succession of vegetation and the production of the swards were recorded for four years. Aonami was dominant in number of survived plants, even in the seeding year. It was most predominant in the crown cover of the canopy, too. Noticeable differences were detected between the locations or management methods. At Ohzasa, Latar≒S143<Aonami in the crown cover of the clipped plots, whereas S143≒Latar≒Aonami (S143<Aonami) in that of grazed plots. At Shibahara, S143<Latar<Aonami in the crown cover of the clipped plots, while S143<Latar≒Aonami in that of grazed plots. Fresh yield of Aonami and that of mixed plots including Aonami were comparatively higher in the clipped plots over locations and years.

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To investigate the plant type of orchardgrass cultivars well adaptable to the mountainous pastures in Northern Kanto district, in the autumn of the first, second and fourth harvest year grass tillers were removed from the sward of two mountainous pastures where three cultivars of orchardgrass with different plant types had been sown singly or in a mixture and either grazed or clipped. Plants derived from the tillers were grown as spaced units in a split plot layout and variation between and within populations in such traits as ear emergence, plant type, plant height etc. was recorded either by observation or by measurement. Analysis of variance showed that main and interaction effects were statistically significant in many traits. Among them, effects of cultivar and location were noticeable. As for cultivar, early maturing domestic variety Aonami was comparatively stable during the years while Latar and S143, both late maturing exotic varieties shifted greatly toward earlier type. Competitive ability between varieties was estimated as S143<Latar<Aonami by the relative frequencies in mixtures. Difference between location effects was also detected. Tillers from Shibahara at lower elevation shifted more toward earlier type than those from Ohzasa at higher elevation. In some traits, treatment effect between grazing and clipping was found, showing that tillers from clipped plots were sligthly earlier than those from grazed plots.

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Degree of frost hardiness of orchardgrass seedlings was compared among 24 cultivars collected from various geographical origins, 27 natural populations from various locations in Hokkaido, and 9 populations from different altitudes (365-998 m a.s.l.) of a hill-pasture in eastern Hokkaido. The frost hardiness of 24 cultivars was correlated significantly with the mean temperatures of January at their breeding places. Two cultivars bred at Obihiro, eastern Hokkaido were similar in frost hardiness to Canadian cultivars which had the highest hardiness among the plants tested. On the other hand, 5 cultivars bred at Sapporo, central Hokkaido were lower in frost hardiness than those at Obihiro. The frost hardiness of 27 natural populations was not closely correlated to the mean temperature of January, but seemed to be correlated positively with the low temperatures prevailing in the locations before the snow was enough to protect the plants from frost damage. The populations from eastern Hokkaido, which had cold winter with little snow, were apparently higher in frost hardiness than those from the other parts of Hokkaido. The frost hardiness, of 9 populations from different altitudes was not different significantly. The frost hardiness of all populations, however, seemed to be higher than that of the original population, probably because the plants susceptible to frost killing were eliminated from the original population during 10 years continuous cultivation. The degree of frost hardiness required for orchardgrass cultivars used in Hokkaido was discussed.

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The purpose of this study is to clarify suitable cutting stages for the 2nd and 3rd crops of perennial ryegrass swards under 3 levels of fertilization. Each growth was measured weekly upto 8 weeks after cutting, and the changes of measured values with time were significantly fitted by cubic regression equations. Maximum stages of average productivity (green yield/days after cutting) and maximum stages of green yield were calculated using cubic regression equations. It was concluded that under high fertilization, the suitable cutting stages should be around the maximum stage of average productivity, 5.5 and 4.8 weeks after cutting for the 2nd and 3rd crops respectively, in order to keep high growth-rates and less accumulation of dead material through the growing season. And under low and medium fertilization, the suitable cutting stages should be around the maximum stage of green yield, 6.8, 7.0 weeks for low and 6.8, 6.7 weeks for medium after cutting in the 2nd and 3rd crops respectively, in order to keep high efficiencies of nitrogen fertilizer for dry matter production.

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Growth analysis in the 2nd and 3rd crops of perennial ryegrass swards grown under 3 levels of fertilization were conducted to clarify the processes of the regrowth. For the analysis, cubic regression curves fitted significantly by the changes of plant height, LAI, percentage light penetration, and dry weight in clipped parts and tops were used. CGR (dw/dt) were obtained by the differentiation of cubic regression equations in dry weight (w). Under high fertilization, NAR (CGR/LAI) was maintained at a high level upto 6 weeks after cutting, in spite of the lower percentage of light penetration, and CGR was also maintained at a higher level upto 6 weeks after cutting. The maximum CGR, optimum LAI and maximum LAI for tops including dead material in the 2nd and 3rd crops were 8.6 and 5.3 g.m^<-2>. day^<-1>, 4.8 and 4.8, 6.9 and 6.9, respectively. But under low and medium fertilization, the values were much reduced by the shortage of fertilizer. The regrowth of all the perennial ryegrass swards was restricted by low precipitation during the growing periods.

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A field experiment was conducted to clarify the effect of basal application of dolomite, and top dressing of nitrogen fertilizer on the yield, botanical composition and inorganic nutrient absorption of orchardgrass-alfalfa mixture. Dolomite were applied at three levels (60kg, 45kg and 30kg/a). Nitrogen fertilizer were top dressed at three levels of N_2, N_1 and N_0 (annually, 1.0kg, 0.5kg and none/a, respectively) from the second harvest year. These plots were replicated three times. The results are as follows: 1) Total dry matter yield in the first year was highest in dolomite 30kg/a plots, resulting from the differences in the yields at the first cutting, although there were no significant differences among dolomite treatments from the second to the fourth cutting. 2) After the second harvest year, interactions of dolomite and nitrogen fertilizer were recognized ; dry matter yields were higher in higher application plots. In the dolomite 30 or 45kg/a plots, yields of N_0 plot were lower than N_2 and N_1 plots due to the inferior growth of orchardgrass. However, in the dolomite 60kg/a plots, there were no significant differences in yields among N levels. 3) The proportion of alfalfa to total yield was higher in the higher dolomite and lower nitrogen plots. Especially, it was highest in the dolomite 60kg/a plots and nitrogen N_0 plots. 4) In the second and the third year, inorganic nutrient absorption in orchardgrass and alfalfa was significantly correlated with the dry matter yields and nitrogen absorption. Therefore, it was suggested that nitrogen absorption promoted the growth of orchardgrass and alfalfa, and increased the other inorganic nutrient absorption.

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This study was conducted to improve the management techniques for maintenance of proper botanical composition in the high productivity level of the mixed sward of orchardgrass and alfalfa. As reported previously, the evident influences of applications of dolomite at the sward establishment and of nitrogenous fertilizers in subsequent management on the trend of the forage yields and the botanical compositions during four years after the sward establishment were observed. It was presumed from the results of previous report that the soil acidity of the experimental plots was one of the important factors affected the trends of forage yields and botanical compositions. This report deals with the influences of soil acidity resulted from fertilizing condition on the botanical compositions of the mixed sward of orchardgrass and alfalfa which was in the fourth harvest year by cutting. The treatment imposed at sward establishment was three levels (30, 45 and 60kg/a) of dolomite application. Three levels (0, 0.5 and 1.0kg/a) of nitrogen application were combined with the three dolomite treatments from the second harvesting year. The results are summerized as follows: 1) Total dry matter yields in mixed sward were higher in the higher dolomite and nitrogen application plots. Besides, the yield and composition of alfalfa in total yield was lower in the higher nitrogen application plots. 2) The number of surviving stump and the yearly yield per a stamp of alfalfa in mixed sward showed a marked increase in the high dolomite and low nitrogen plots. 3) In the soil used, the negative correlation between pH (H_2O) and Y_1 in soil was recognized and higher in subsoil (15-40cm layers) than in surface soil (0-15cm layers). In general, the plots with high dolomite and low nitrogen showed high pH and low Y_1. 4) The correlation between number of stumps (or total yield) of alfalfa and pH (or Y_1) of soil in subsurface and subsoil was higher than that in the surface soil. From these results, it was suggested that for the establishment of stand and the perpetual maintenance of composition of alfalfa improvement of acidity is required not noly in surface and subsoil in mixed sward of orchardgrass and alfalfa.

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An experiment of foundation work was attempted to establish pasture on Ando soil in mountainous area which was located in the northeast of Lake Towada, Aomori Prefecture. Soil profile in this area consisted of four layers, blackish humus layer (CL, 20cm in thickness), bluish platy layer (L, 35cm), reddish friable layer (SL, 55cm) and pumice gravel layer (more than 300cm). On the foundation work for pasture, pumice gravel layer was apt to expose on the surface by cutting work because of its large thickness. Since pasture establishment on pumice gravel layer failed as reported in the previous paper, it was attempted on other two layers. Herein is reported this result. Although soils of two layers were undesirable subsoils, good pastures were established by the following applications of fertilizers and seed mixture ; basal fertilizers (kg/ha): hydrated dolomitic lime 2800, P_2O_5 400, N 50, K_2O 50, additional fertilizers: N 50, P_2O_5 50, K_2O 50, and seed mixture (kg/ha): Italian ryegrass 20, orchardgrass 20, ladino clover 20, respectively. A siries of our experiments showed that even on both cutting and banking lands with undesirable chemical properties, pasture establishment was successfully performed by means of suitable application of fertilizers, except when pumice gravel layers were exposed.

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A field experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of cutting intervals on the yields of napier grass in 1980 and 1981. The grass was grown on a calcareous soil, which is one of the typical soil called "Jaagaru" in Okinawa. Four plots were set up in the experiment for each cutting interval of 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1. The yearly yields showed remarkable increase with the length of cutting intervals, and reached to over 28 tons in fresh weight and 4.5 tons dry weight per 10a on the plot of 10 week interval. 2. The weight per tiller, the grass length, the number of leaves per tiller and leaf area per leaf increased with the length of cutting intervals, but decreased the number of tillers per unit area and leaf weight ratio. 3. The leaf area index (LAI) increased with the length of cutting intervals, showing more than 10 in the plot of 10 week interval. From the results described above, it is considered that the yearly yields of napier grass increase with the length of cutting intervals up 10 weeks.

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To measure the human impacts on the vegatation and soil in skiing areas, an investigation of plant communities and soils was carried out in Teine Skiing Area, Hokkaido, Japan. Based on the vegetation survey with the BRAUN-BLANQUET'S method, following vegetation units were classified: Forest ; Saso-Piceetum jezoensis KATO 1952 Semi-natural herbaceous vegetation ; Sasa kurilensis-Galium kamtschaticum community Rubus ideaus-Epilobium angustifolium community Typical lower unit Betula ermanii facies Anaphalis margaritacea facies Petasites japonicus facies Salix sachalinensis lower unit Artemisia montana community Sown pasture ; Festuca arundinacea-Eragrostis curvula sown pasture Trifolium repens-Dactylis glomelata sown pasture These vegetation distributed in accordance with degree of disturbance of the stands. Sasa kurilensis-Galium kamtschaticum community occurs on places where only trees were removed. Stands of which soils were severely disturbed by bulldozer were covered by Festuca arundinacea-Eragrostis curvula sown pasture. Soil were classified into 5 types as follows: Natural soil class ; Brown forest soil Woodland phase Cut-over area phase Artificially truncated phase Artificial soil class Fill soil Artificial immature soil The vegetation was closely related to the soil which was made by various human activities.

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In order to assess the human impact on the vegetation and soil of skiing areas, vegetation and soil surveys were carried out in 1982, at Hodaiki Skiing Area, North Kanto District, Japan. Based on the vegetation surveys, 7 communities (containing 2 lower units) were differentiated as follows ; Forest Castaneto-Quercetum crispulae HORIKAWA et SASAKI Larix leptolepis plantation Semi-natural herbaceous vegetation Sasa kurilensis-Eupatolium chinensis community Artemisia princeps community Picris hieracioides lower unit Typical lower unit Sown pasture Trifolium repens-Plantago asiatica sown pasture Trifolium repens-Dactylis glomerata sown pasture Trifolium repens prantense sown pasture These vegetation units were distributed in the area in accordance with ampritude and quality of human impacts. The stand which was only deforested was covered by Sasa kurilensis-Eupatorium chinensis community. While the bulldozed stands were covered by poor communities such as Trifolium repens-Plantago asiatica community. Soil types were recognized as follows ; Natural soil class Kuroboku soil Woodland phase Cut-over area phase Colluvial phase Artificial truncated phase Artificial soil class Fill soil Artificial immature soil These soil types were closely related to the vegatation units which were formed by various human impact such as deforestation, mowing and bulldozing. Based on above results, a proper use of the grassland communities on skiing area was suggested.

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Simple determination method of feed starch was investigated by using two enzymes, such as pronase and amylase (α-amylase). Seven corn silages, seven formula feeds (for dairy cattle, swine and poultry), corn grain, wheat grain, barley grain, soybean meal, corn gluten feed, peanut meal and soy sauce cake were used as feed samples. At first, organic cellular contents (OCC) was determined by successive treatments of amylase and pronase. Next, in another experiment, pronase-soluble organic matter (POM) was determined. OCC contains crude protein, crude fat, sugars, organic acids, starch and other solubles. On the other hand, POM contains crude protein, crude fat, sugars, organic acids and other solubles. For this reason, the value of OCC minus POM is equal theoretically to strach content of feed sample. Actually, highly significant correlations were obtained between the value of OCC minus POM and starch contents in three feed groups (tables 2 and 3). Starch content of feed can be predicted simply and exactly by these enzymatic system and the regression equation in tables 2 and 3.

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The purpose of this paper is to describe development of an in vitro procedure for estimating ruminal protein degradation of pasture herbage. The procedure involves the use of freeze-dried grass as an incubating material and short-term (2hr) incubation of rumen fluid without artificial saliva in a modified syringe. When grass samples which were prepared by three kinds of drying treatment such as freeze-drying (f.d.), oven-drying (o.d.) and sun-curing (s.c.) were incubated with rumen fluid, ammonia release from f.d. sample was largest. In the case of f.d. sample, it was calculated that ammonia is derived from not only the non-protein nitrogen components of grass but also from the true protein fraction. Thus the degradation of herbage protein was demonstrated. However, in the case of o.d. or s.c. sample, the evidence of protein degradation was still obscure in such a short-term incubation. It was concluded that f.d., in preparing grass sample for in vitro rumen fermentation, is reasonable by means of providing the nearest one to fresh grass. The in vitro incubation was also done with six f.d. samples in which crude protein (CP) and total non-structural carbohydrate (TNC) contents ranged from 14.4 to 24.4% and from 9.5 to 19.6%, respectively. There was found a positive correlation between the CP content of grass sample and the ammonia release. Since the chemical analysis of grass samples revealed a negative correlation between their CP and TNC contents, it is pointed out that CP/TNC ratio of grass is important because it influences the extent of ammonia release. The ammonia release derived from the degradation of herbage protein was discussed from the point of easy metabolizability of both CP and TNC. On the validity of the in vitro procedure, the paper was also discussed firstly the short-term incubation, connecting with the rapid fermentation of herbage CP and TNC, and secondly needlessness of artificial saliva on the basis of the short-term incubation.

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From May to November in 1979 at Iriki Livestock, Kagoshima University, observations were made on the dirurnal prevalence and its seasonal chang of dung beetles flying to cow dung and their relationships to weather elements were examined. The basket which was filled with soils and fresh cow dungs (400g) was set either in the pasture or under the shade trees. The dung beetles flied to the basketcs were collected and their species and number were recorded. The air temperature, relative humidity, luminous intensity and wind velocity were also measured. The following results were obtained: 1. The diurnal prevalence of dung beetles was classified into three types as follows: 1) day type which showed the activity-peak in the daytime ; 2) night type which showed the activity-peak in the nighttime ; and 3) seasonal type which showed the activity-peak either in the daytime or in the nighttime depending on a season. Geotrupes auratus Motschulsky, Geotrupes laevistriatus Motschulsky, Aphodius haroldianus Balthasar and Onthophagus fodiens Waterhouse were the typical species of dung beetles belonging to the day type, and Aphodius urostigma Harold, Aphodius sublimbatus Motschulsky, Aphodius uniplagiatus Waterhouse and Copris acutidens Motschulsky were those belonging to the night type. Only one species of dung beetles collected, namely Onthophagus lenzii Harold, belonged to the seasonal type. In general species of the day and the seasonal types were medium size, and those of the night type were small size. 2. There was little seasonal change in the diurnal prevalence of dung beetles excepting Onthophagus lenzii Harold. The diurnal prevalence of Onthophagus lenzii Harold fluctuated from season to season. In this species the activity-peak tended to occur in the daytime of May, October and November, and in the nighttime of July, August and September. The species belonging to either the night or the seasonal type showed their activity-peak between 19:00 and 21:00. 3. The flight of dung beetles was observed only when the air temperature ranged between 10 and 28℃, having the optimum temperature of the activity between 19 and 24℃. The number of the flight of dung beetles tended to increase with the rise in relative humidity, and to decrease with the rise in luminous intensity and wind velocity.

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In the previous studies, the orchardgrass was devided by the pectinase treatment into the parenchyma fraction and the mechanical tissue fraction, and it was found that most of indigestible material of orchardgrass was recoved in the mechanical tissue fraction and that the percentage of the mechanical tissue fractions increased with advancing maturity of the orchardgrass. These results suggest that there may be significant relationship between the mechanical tissue fraction and the digestibility of grass. In this experiment, we compared the accuracy of predicting in vivo digestibility of grasses from the mechanical tissue fraction with those from the chemical composition and from in vitro digestibility by rumen fluid.

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