ABSTRACT
Validation of the Botanal method in a Phalaris aquatica and Trifolium subterraneum pasture. II. Evaluation of the dry weight rank method, in the estimation of botanical composition

Fernando Squella N.1, Carolina Márquez G.2, Mario Silva G.3 y Alberto Mansilla M.3
 

The present research had the objective to validate the dry weight rank method in relation to the hand separation method, in order to estimate the botanical composition in a Phalaris aquatica (hardinggrass) and Trifolium subterraneum (subclover) pasture. The study was conducted at the Hidango Research Field Station of INIA (34º07' S lat. and 71º44' W long.), between July 1983 and February 1984, in pastures grazed by sheep, cattle and rested for hay. The comparison was done throught simple regression analysis for both methods. The dry weight rank method was appropriate to estimate the botanical composition of the pasture. The only restraint was that the observers must be previously trained in the correct estimate of ranks. Correction technics, like adjusting by weight and accumulatives ranks, are not required in this type of pasture.

Keywords:
1 Estación Experimental La Platina (INlA), Casilla 439, Correo 3, Santiago, Chile.
2 Pericles 1213, Depto. 203, Santiago, Chile.
3 Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales. Universidad de Chile, Casilla 1004, Santiago, Chile.