Rangeland Ecology & Management

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Evaluation of the Forage-disk Method in Mixed-grass Rangelands of Kansas
Author
Karl, M. G.
Nicholson, R. A.
Publisher
Society for Range Management
Publication Year
1987-09-01
Body

The forage disk meter, a double sampling device used to predict forage biomass, has been used extensively on improved pastures, but its use on rangelands has not been investigated thoroughly. Efficiency of the forage disk meter was investigated in predicting yields of forage biomass on different range sites in western Kansas. Using least squares regression methods, resting heights (forage bulk) and dry matter yields were used to calibrate the disk meter for each site and sampling date. Highly significant regressions (P<0.0001) were obtained on all the shortgrass sites, where several factors that had unfavorable effects on the regression relationship between forage bulk and forage biomass were not apparent. These factors, although not quantified, included accumulation of litter, microrelief, lodged vegetation, and presence of broadleaf species. Regression coefficients (b) and intercepts (a) varied between sites and dates, thus the forage disk meter should be calibrated for every range site. If a forage disk meter is calibrated for a specific range site, regression coefficients and intercepts might not differ from year to year if grazing pressure and species composition are temporally consistent, which implies that recalibration might be unnecessary. The forage disk meter was useful as a double sampling device on range sites dominated by shortgrasses, but its use was limited on areas dominated by annual forbs or midgrasses. This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information. Migrated from OJS platform August 2020

Language
en
Resource Type
Text
Document Type
Journal Issue/Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.2307/3899613
Additional Information
Karl, M. G., & Nicholson, R. A. (1987). Evaluation of the forage-disk method in mixed-grass rangelands of Kansas. Journal of Range Management, 40(5), 467-471.
IISN
0022-409X
OAI Identifier
oai:repository.arizona.edu:10150/645175
Journal Volume
40
Journal Number
5
Journal Pages
467-471
Journal Name
Journal of Range Management
Keywords
discs
meters
calibration
Kansas
regression analysis
sampling
biomass
botanical composition
rangelands
forage