Abstract

MARTIN, B. et al. Evaluation of the primary productivity of temperate grassland in Santa Fe, Argentina. Arch. zootec. [online]. 2011, vol.60, n.232, pp.965-975. ISSN 1885-4494.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S0004-05922011000400013.

The objective this work was to generate simple models of total and seasonal production for shoot biomass in temperate grassland located in a medium low ridge. Were used as predictors simple measurable parameters (rainfall, average temperatures and percentage relationship between forage species). The analysis was based on a series of eight years (2002-2009) of seasonal production data accumulated in a pasture located in Bustinza, Santa Fe, Argentina. In each year the productivity was estimated by manual cutting of 10 samples of 0.25 m². This material was separated in C₃ and C₄ grasses, annuals and perennials, graminoids and perennial dicots and estimated the proportion of each fraction in the base of dry matter. The average production was 9051 kg/ha. The obtained regression models between annual rainfall and net aerial primary production and between production of seasonal rainfall at each station and the percentage ratio between groups of species were satisfactory. The equations to predict the seasonal production of pasture were good and simple estimators, and could be used in other regions having similar grassland structure.

Keywords : Seasonal production; Simple simulation models.

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