Botanical Composition and Herbage Mass Estimation in Relation to Quality Status of Mauma Kharka (Rangeland) in the Taplejung District, Nepal

Type Journal Article - Global Journal of Science Frontier Research
Title Botanical Composition and Herbage Mass Estimation in Relation to Quality Status of Mauma Kharka (Rangeland) in the Taplejung District, Nepal
Author(s)
Volume 13
Issue 5
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2013
URL http://journalofscience.org/index.php/GJSFR/article/viewFile/840/705
Abstract
A study was conducted in Mauma Kharka, Olang Chung Gola VDC of Taplejung district, Nepal
during June, 2010 to November, 2010 to determine the status of available herbage mass at transhumance
system. Accordingly, herbage biomass estimation was done in three different slope categories using RCB
design (<4%- plain category; 5-10% gentle slope, and 11-16% steep slope), each replicated for five
times. The total fresh and dry weight of herbage mass Was estimated three times (July, August and
September), taking 90 days growth period along with the botanical composition. The sample from each
slope category harvested during July was also analyzed to determine CP, ether extract, NDF, ADF, ADL,
cellulose, hemicelluloses and total ash. Results showed that the proportion of forbs were highest (60%),
whereas cyperoids and grasses were similar and lower in proportion at each slope categories. The total
dried herbage mass was statistically similar (p>0.05) along the three slope categories, with the mean
dried weight 1.8 t/ha, 3.6 t/ha, and 2.6 t/ha for July, August, and September, respectively.

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