SGS Pasture Theme: Effect of climate, soil factors and management on pasture production and stability across the high rainfall zone of southern Australia

摘要: The Sustainable Grazing Systems (SGS) National Experiment (NE) Pasture Theme explored factors that influenced annual herbage accumulation and perennial grass legume content across the NE sites, in high rainfall zone (HRZ, >600 mm/year rainfall) of southern Australia using multi-variate analysis SGS Model. Annual was a poor predictor accumulation. length growing season accounted for 30% variation Much remaining 70% explained by soil Olsen P, proportion native species pasture stocking rate, together with interactions among other including content. Simulated effects set rotational grazing on Model, predicted unlikely to result large increases In contrast, it adoption deep-rooted C3 C4 grasses could provide useful Perennial basal cover were both significantly (P<0.001), method (P<0.001) an interaction between rate pH (P = 0.002). These analyses suggested maintain or improve component at medium–high rates, crucial adopt strategies included rotation resting. percent also increased response ameliorating pH. Legume pastures rate. To be botanically stable productive, sown based HRZ will need grazed rates (15–23 DSE/ha) combination resting, adequate P. Additional gains production stability obtained ensuring component, acidity. Pastures may require lower P more conservative depending species.