The potential for mathematical prediction of the yield and quality of forage crops in fodder production planning is still untapped. This paper presents a multiple regression equation accounting for 88% of the variation that occurred in some 270 individual annual yields of Eragrostis curvula. The data originated from nine sites in the eastern high summer?rainfall regions in South Africa. The significant variables were level of applied nitrogen, rainfall, age of pasture and a combination of soil factors. The ?Richards? function was used to derive the seasonal distribution of growth rates of E. curvula at four of the nine sites. A procedure for predicting the corresponding production curve for a given farm site is proposed, based on the expected total yeild and a selected standard curve. This technique shows promise and it will be applied to other pasture species.
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.