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Acta Prataculturae Sinica ›› 2021, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (7): 1-10.DOI: 10.11686/cyxb2020434

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Changes in forage quality and its relationship with plant diversity under fertilization and mowing in Hulun Buir meadow steppe

Xin-lei XU(), Yan-tao SONG(), Jing-dong ZHAO, Yun-na WU   

  1. College of Environment and Bioresources,Dalian Minzu University,Dalian 116600,China
  • Received:2020-09-27 Revised:2020-11-24 Online:2021-07-20 Published:2021-06-03
  • Contact: Yan-tao SONG

Abstract:

This research explored the effect of fertilization and mowing on the nutritional quality of forage in Hulun Buir meadow steppe and its relationship with plant diversity. A mown area was established at the Erguna Forest-Steppe Ecotone Research Station, CAS, in 2016. The experimental plots comprised fertilized and unfertilized treatments and six stubble cutting heights. Sampling was carried out in August 2019 and the nutritional components of the samples were determined and their relationship with plant richness was analyzed. It was found that the crude protein content and relative feeding value of forage under the fertilization treatment was significantly higher than without fertilization treatment, while the herbage acid detergent fiber content without fertilization treatment was significantly higher than under fertilization. The crude protein, crude fat, water soluble carbohydrate, relative forage quality and milk yield were the highest when plots were mowed at 3 cm stubble height, while the contents of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were the highest when plots were unmown. There was no significant interaction between fertilization and mowing. The relative forage quality, relative feeding value, milk yield, non-fibrous carbohydrate and Ca contents were positively and significantly correlated with species richness; the neutral detergent fiber content was negatively and significantly correlated with species richness, indicating that increase in species diversity improves the nutritional value of forage. Therefore, management methods that maintain high plant species richness in plant communities may be more effective for livestock production in Hulun Buir grassland.

Key words: fertilization, mowing stubble height, forage quality, plant diversity