Register      Login
The Rangeland Journal The Rangeland Journal Society
Journal of the Australian Rangeland Society
RESEARCH ARTICLE

A comprehensive appraisal of four kinds of forage under irrigation in Xilingol, Inner Mongolia, China

Yulong Yan A B , Zhiqiang Wan A B , Ran Chao A B , Yiqing Ge A B , Yali Chen A B , Rui Gu C , Qingzhu Gao B D and Jie Yang A D
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Ecology and Environment, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, China.

B Key Laboratory for Agro-Environment and Climate Change of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, CAAS, Beijing 100081, China.

C College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010020, China.

D Corresponding authors. Email: gaoqingzhu@caas.cn; yangjie@mail.imu.edu.cn

The Rangeland Journal 40(2) 171-178 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ16084
Submitted: 21 August 2016  Accepted: 31 October 2017   Published: 12 January 2018

Abstract

Planting of forage can alleviate grazing pressure on natural ecosystems. In the Inner Mongolian environment, higher forage yields can be expected under irrigation because water is a key factor that limits plant growth. Lower grass yield caused by land degradation and climatic change highlight the potential importance of irrigated forage for maintaining livestock production in this environment. The present study in the Xilingol area of Inner Mongolia aimed to identify forage varieties producing high-yielding, quality forage. Three lucerne (alfalfa) varieties (Medicago sativa L. cvv. Aohan and Zhaodong, Medicago varia Martyn) and a grass (Elymus nutans Griseb) were assessed. Irrigation commenced when soil moisture at 10 cm depth reached the wilting coefficient, and ceased when soil reached field capacity. After 4 months, irrigation had significantly increased specific leaf area, tiller numbers and yield under irrigation (P < 0.05) in all varieties. Yield of cv. Zhaodong was highest at 5111 kg ha–1. Forage quality was evaluated by using yield, leaf : stem ratio and crude fibre, crude protein and crude fat contents. Forage quality was significantly higher in the three lucerne varieties than in the grass, under both irrigation and natural rainfall, with no significant difference among the three lucerne varieties. Cost–benefit analysis showed that irrigation was much more profitable for the three lucerne varieties than for the grass because of the lower market value and yield of the grass.

Additional keywords: cost–benefit ratio, Inner Mongolian grasslands, nutritional value.


References

Amaducci, S., Amaducci, M. T., Enati, R., and Venture, G. (2000). Crop yield and quality parameters of four annual fibre crops (hemp, kenaf, maize and sorghum) in the north of Italy. Industrial Crops and Products 11, 179–186.
Crop yield and quality parameters of four annual fibre crops (hemp, kenaf, maize and sorghum) in the north of Italy.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cai, X., Starman, T., Niu, G., Hall, C., and Lombardini, L. (2012). Response of selected garden roses to drought stress. HortScience 47, 1050–1055.

Chen, G., and Tai, J. H. (2010). Forage quality and quality standards for commercial applications in the United States. China Animal Husbandry Bulletin 11, 48–49.

Chen, M. L., Zhang, B. W., Ren, T. T., Wang, S. S., and Chen, S. P. (2016). Responses of soil moisture to precipitation pattern change in semiarid grasslands in Nei Mongol, China. Chinese Journal of Plant Ecology 40, 658–668.
Responses of soil moisture to precipitation pattern change in semiarid grasslands in Nei Mongol, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Cornelissen, J. H. C., Lavorel, S., Garnier, E., Diaz, S., Buchmann, N., Gurvich, D. E., and Pausas, J. G. (2003). A handbook of protocols for standardised and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide. Australian Journal of Botany 51, 335–380.
A handbook of protocols for standardised and easy measurement of plant functional traits worldwide.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Dong, S. K., Hu, Z. Z., Long, R. J., Kang, M. Y., and Jiang, Y. (2002). Effect of mixture perennial grasses on the vegetation and soil of grassland and the economic values of mixture grassland in alpine region. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation 16, 98–101.

Dong, S. K., Kang, M. Y., Long, R. J., Yun, X. J., and Hu, Z. Z. (2007). Economic comparison of annual crop, perennial pasture and native grassland forage production in the alpine region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China. Grass and Forage Science 62, 405–415.
Economic comparison of annual crop, perennial pasture and native grassland forage production in the alpine region of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Fan, Y. (2015). Research on key time of water supplement of typical artificial grassland of Inner Mongolia Xilinhot city. M.Sc. Thesis, School of Life Sciences, Inner Mongolia University, Huhhot, China. [In Chinese]

Grant, K., Kreyling, J., Dienstbach, L. F., Beierkuhnlein, C., and Jentsch, A. (2014). Water stress due to increased intra-annual precipitation variability reduced forage yield but raised forage quality of a temperate grassland. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 186, 11–22.
Water stress due to increased intra-annual precipitation variability reduced forage yield but raised forage quality of a temperate grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Halim, R. A., Buxton, D. R., and Hattendorf, M. J. (1989). Water-stress effects on alfalfa forage quality after adjustment for maturity differences. Agronomy Journal 81, 189–194.
Water-stress effects on alfalfa forage quality after adjustment for maturity differences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hanks, R. J., Holmes, W. E., and Tanner, C. B. (1954). Field capacity approximation based on the moisture-transmitting properties of the soil. Soil Science Society of America Journal 18, 252–254.
Field capacity approximation based on the moisture-transmitting properties of the soil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

He, J. J. (2012). Precipitation variation characteristics of Xilinhot City for 50 years. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin 28, 271–278.

Heisler-White, J. L., Knapp, A. K., and Kelly, E. F. (2008). Increasing precipitation event size increases aboveground net primary productivity in a semi-arid grassland. Oecologia 158, 129–140.
Increasing precipitation event size increases aboveground net primary productivity in a semi-arid grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hillel, D. (1990). Role of irrigation in agricultural systems. Agronomy 9, 6–29.

Hohnwald, S. (2016). Relative palatability and growth performance of capoeira species as supplementary forages in the NE-Amazon. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 218, 107–115.
Relative palatability and growth performance of capoeira species as supplementary forages in the NE-Amazon.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Hu, Z. Z. (2000). The importance of artificial grassland in the development of prataculture and the control of environment in China of 21st century. Grassland and Turf 1, 12–15.

Huo, H. L., Wang, Q., Zhang, E. H., and Shi, S. L. (2013). Effects of different water harvesting modes on alfalfa planting in semi-arid areas of north-west China. Chinese Journal of Applied Ecology 10, 2770–2778.

IUSS Working Group (2015). ‘World Reference Base for Soil Resources 2014, update 2015.’ World Soil Resources Reports No. 106. (FAO: Rome.)

Kammann, C. I., Linsel, S., Gößling, J. W., and Koyro, H. W. (2011). Influence of biochar on drought tolerance of Chenopodium quinoa Willd and on soil–plant relations. Plant and Soil 345, 195–210.
Influence of biochar on drought tolerance of Chenopodium quinoa Willd and on soil–plant relations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXptFymtL0%3D&md5=a482adccae664f2913fc69d8f9241479CAS |

Knops, J. M. H., and Reinhart, K. (2000). Specific leaf area along a nitrogen fertilization gradient. American Midland Naturalist 144, 265–272.
Specific leaf area along a nitrogen fertilization gradient.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Kou, J. T., Shi, S. L., and Cai, Z. S. (2010). Effects of ridge and furrow rainfall harvesting on growth characteristics and quality of Medicago sativa in dryland. Scientia Agricultura Sinica 43, 5028–5036.

Lelièvre, F., Seddaiu, G., Ledda, L., Porqueddu, C., and Volaire, F. (2011). Water use efficiency and drought survival in Mediterranean perennial forage grasses. Field Crops Research 121, 333–342.
Water use efficiency and drought survival in Mediterranean perennial forage grasses.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Li, G. Z. (2013). Study on the Performance and Nutritional Value of different seeding rates and alfalfa varieties. M.Sc. Thesis, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, China. [In Chinese]

Li, M. J., Chen, G. H., and Chen, Y. T. (2004). Study on target standardization method of comprehensive evaluation. Chinese Journal of Management Science 4, 44–48.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXnt1Gjt7g%3D&md5=8c4d447b0a2a087702e2ab15e1922aefCAS |

Lindenmayer, R. B., Hansen, N. C., Brummer, J., and Pritchett, J. G. (2011). Deficit irrigation of alfalfa for water-savings in the Great Plains and Intermountain West: a review and analysis of the literature. Agronomy Journal 103, 45–50.
Deficit irrigation of alfalfa for water-savings in the Great Plains and Intermountain West: a review and analysis of the literature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Liu, L. (2009). Studies on drought resistance adaptation of nine graminaceous herbages in typical grassland. M.Sc. Thesis, College of Grassland, Resources and Environment, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Huhhot, China. [In Chinese]

Luo, Z. Z., Niu, Y. N., Li, L. L., Cai, L. Q., Zhang, R. Z., and Xie, J. H. (2015). Soil moisture and alfalfa productivity response from different years of growth on the Loess Plateau of central Gansu. Acta Prataculturae Sinica 01, 31–38.

Ma, C., Sun, Q. Z., and Zhou, Y. l. (2007). TWINSPAN classification and selection of alfalfa cultivars. Prataculture and Animal Husbandry 1, 24–27.

Ma, W. W., Gong, C. L., Hu, Y., Wei, Y. L., Li, L., Liu, F. Y., and Meng, P. (2015). Hyperspectral remote sensing estimation models for pasture quality. Spectroscopy and Spectral Analysis 35, 2851–2855.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXitVWrsbfN&md5=842387feca99c3ad943af5e8b989b99eCAS |

Migwi, P. K., Bebe, B. O., Gachuiri, C. K., Godwin, I., and Nolan, J. V. (2013). Options for efficient utilisation of high fibre feed resources in low input ruminant production systems in a changing climate: A review. Livestock Research for Rural Development 25, art#87.

Mu, S. J., Chen, Y. Z., Li, J. L., Ju, W. M., Odeh, I. O. A., and Zou, X. L. (2013). Grassland dynamics in response to climate change and human activities in Inner Mongolia, China between 1985 and 2009. The Rangeland Journal 35, 315–329.
Grassland dynamics in response to climate change and human activities in Inner Mongolia, China between 1985 and 2009.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Neal, J. S., Fulkerson, W. J., and Sutton, B. G. (2011). Differences in water-use efficiency among perennial forages used by the dairy industry under optimum and deficit irrigation. Irrigation Science 29, 213–232.

Popovic, S., Grljusic, S., Cupic, T., Tucak, M., and Stjepanovic, M. (2001). Protein and fiber contents in alfalfa leaves and stems. Options Méditerranéennes Série A Séminaires Méditerranéens 45, 215–218.

Reich, P. B., Walters, M. B., and Ellsworth, D. S. (1997). From tropics to tundra: global convergence in plant functioning. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 94, 13730–13734.
From tropics to tundra: global convergence in plant functioning.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXotValtb8%3D&md5=7b38d33a98ae3d9c9bf94c8a175080b0CAS |

Reiche, M., Funk, R., Zhang, Z., Hoffmann, C., Reiche, J., and Wehrhan, M. (2012). Application of satellite remote sensing for mapping wind erosion risk and dust emission-deposition in Inner Mongolia grassland, China. Grassland Science 58, 8–19.
Application of satellite remote sensing for mapping wind erosion risk and dust emission-deposition in Inner Mongolia grassland, China.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Shi, J. G., Xie, D., Xin, Z. Y., and Zheng, J. W. (2010). Analysis on Climate Change Nearly Fifty Years in Xilingol Area. Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin 26, 318–323.

Shi, Y., Ma, Y. L., Ma, W. H., Liang, C. Z., Zhang, X. Q., Fang, J. Y., and He, J. S. (2013). Large scale patterns of forage yield and quality across Chinese grasslands. Science Bulletin 58, 1187–1199.
Large scale patterns of forage yield and quality across Chinese grasslands.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXltVyit70%3D&md5=425d4ce7dfa465c4081f31eea80f6ca5CAS |

Tao, S., Fang, J., Zhao, X., Zhao, S., Shen, H., Hu, H., Tang, Z., Wang, Z., and Guo, Q. (2015). Rapid loss of lakes on the Mongolian Plateau. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 112, 2281–2286.
Rapid loss of lakes on the Mongolian Plateau.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXhvFCgs7k%3D&md5=8126d6225a1a2bdc658da16f5003989fCAS |

Volenec, J. J., Cherney, J. H., and Johnson, K. D. (1987). Yield components, plant morphology, and forage quality of alfalfa as influenced by plant population. Crop Science 27, 321–326.
Yield components, plant morphology, and forage quality of alfalfa as influenced by plant population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wang, S. W. (2014). Effect of different sowing rates and mowing on artificial turf of Elymus sibiricus and Elymus nutans in different planting ways. M.Sc. Thesis, College of Grassland, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China. [In Chinese]

Wang, Y., and Wesche, K. (2016). Vegetation and soil responses to livestock grazing in central Asian grasslands: a review of Chinese literature. Biodiversity and Conservation 25, 2401–2420.
Vegetation and soil responses to livestock grazing in central Asian grasslands: a review of Chinese literature.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wang, Y. R., Zhao, L. Q., and Shao, Y. H. (2005). Comparative analysis of the drought-resistances for turfgrass and main weeds in the temperate semi-arid region. Chinese Journal of Ecology 1, 1–5.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXhtlaqsrs%3D&md5=fac16c7f94a62927afd31fe5597d51b2CAS |

Wang, H. Q., Tian, Y. H., and Huang, W. L. (2015). Analyzing the impact of irrigation quantity on biomass and water use efficiency of main grasses in artificial grassland in Inner Mongolia. Acta Ecologica Sinica 35, 3225–3232.

Wei, Z. W., Fu, X., and Cao, Z. Z. (2007). Forage yield component and growth characteristics of Medicago sativa. Acta Prataculturae Sinica 16, 1–7.

Wright, I. J., Reich, P. B., Cornelissen, J. H. C., Falster, D. S., Garnier, E., Hikosaka, K., Lamont, B. B., Lee, W., Oleksyn, J., Osada, N., Poorter, H., Villar, R., Warton, D. I., and Westoby, M. (2005). Assessing the generality of global leaf trait relationships. New Phytologist 166, 485–496.
Assessing the generality of global leaf trait relationships.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

Wu, G. L., Liu, Z. H., Lei, Z., Hu, T. M., and Chen, J. M. (2010). Effects of artificial grassland establishment on soil nutrients and carbon properties in a black-soil-type degraded grassland. Plant and Soil 333, 469–479.
Effects of artificial grassland establishment on soil nutrients and carbon properties in a black-soil-type degraded grassland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXovFCjtbw%3D&md5=2671f06954c00654f0223437aa0b6717CAS |

Zhao, H. Y. (2007). Impacts of climate change on forage potential climate productivity in typical grassland. Chinese Journal of Agrometeorology 3, 281–284.

Zhao, X. M., Wang, Y. X., and Zhao, C. N. (2008). Fuzzy nearness degree analysis for evaluation of utilization extent of city water resources. Water Saving Irrigation 11, 26–32.