Plant Height Times Ground Cover versus Clipped Samples for Estimating Forage Production¹

Abstract

Synopsis Plant height times ground cover (HG) can be used to estimate relative forage production and differentiate treatment effects on fertilizer plots in the annual range type of California. HG and clipping values were highly comparable for estimating relative forage productivity on these plots. A quantitative relationship between clipped samples and HG values was indicated, within fairly broad limits, at two growth stages of the vegetation. This relationship was erratic on lodged vegetation.