Effect of Time and Extent of Harvesting Basin Wildrye

Abstract

Single clipping treatments of basin wildrye during the period of growth initiation to full bloom followed by removal of all growth to a 5 cm stubble at the end of the growing season reduced yields in the year of clipping and the year following. Growth reduction was greatest when plants were clipped at the boot stage. Removal of 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 or all of the herbage at any one of three dates in the spring of one year reduced yield the following year. Growth decreased as the level of herbage removal increased and with years of treatment or delay in harvest time when 3/4 or all of the herbage was cut. Growth reduction was greatest when herbage was cut at the boot stage which coincided with the period of rapid elevation of growing points above the soil surface and with a decrease in total available carbohydrates (TAC). Grazing of basin wildrye in early spring, based on data presented, would probably be quite detrimental just as cutting was.