Pasture production not only depends on precipitation amount and distribution patterns, but also on soil type and evaporative demand. The simulation model of Rose et al., developed using improved pastures, is one that accounts for these factors and also takes into account the effect of fertilizer levels on production. From this a simplified model is proposed for Mozambique using as inputs annual precipitation, annual potential evapotranspiration and soil moisture storage capacity. The model is applicable only under negligible soil slope and no bush or tree cover, but can be adapted to varying phosphate fertilizer levels. Estimates from this proposed model show close agreement with experimental data from cleared natural pastures in Zimbabwe and with improved pastures of Townsville stylo in Australia under high phosphate fertilizer levels.
Journal articles from the Grassland Society of Southern Africa (GSSA) African Journal of Range and Forage Science as well as related articles and reports from throughout the southern African region.