A comparative method for describing the seasonal distribution of production from grasses

Summary A standard method is proposed for establishing the seasonal pattern of production for grasses. The procedure consists in recording the yield from grass swards cut every 4 weeks and from which limitations to growth from the supply of water or nutrients have been removed. Four series of plots are harvested in rotation, spaced a week apart so that there is a routine of harvesting a constant number of plots on the same day each week. A statistical analysis is also described enabling comparisons to be made between the grasses under test. An example is given to illustrate the method and the results obtained.