Simulated Grazing (Clipping) Affected Growth and Nutritional Quality of Barley, Rye, and Wheat in an Arid Climate

Deficit and unpredictable precipitation in arid regions can result in lower yield and nutritional quality of barley, rye, and wheat. Therefore, improving yield and nutritional quality of barley, rye, and wheat is important for livestock production in arid regions. We investigated the effect of simulated grazing (clipping) and no simulated grazing (no clipping) treatments on the growth and nutritional quality of barley, rye, and wheat in an arid region. Simulated grazing (clipping) treatment reduced number of tillers m(-2) in barley and wheat, and increased in rye before second and third simulated grazing. In no simulated grazing (no clipping) treatment, the highest dry matter yield was recorded in barley (8543 and 8802 kg ha(-1)), followed by wheat (6712 and 6895 kg ha(-1)) and lowest in rye (3465 and 3657 kg ha(-1)) before fourth simulated grazing. In simulated grazing (clipping) treatment, the highest dry matter yield was recorded in rye (2624 and 2941 kg ha(-1)), followed by barley (2243 and 2454 kg ha(-1)) and lowest in wheat (1667 and 1760 kg ha(-1)) before second simulated grazing. Simulated grazing (clipping) treatment improved barley, rye, and wheat crude protein content (by 18.9%, 35.6%, and 2.5%, respectively), ether extract content (by 0.2%, 13.5%, and 4.8%), and crude ash content (by 7.2%, 6.4%, and 1.8%), while reduced neutral detergent fiber content (by 9.5%, 16.4%, and 6.7%) and acid detergent fiber content (by 20.2%, 26.9%, and 6.0%) compared with the no simulated grazing (no clipping) treatment. In arid regions, simulated grazing (clipping) is the best strategy to improve the nutritional quality of barley, rye, and wheat. Simulated grazing (clipping) of barley, rye, and wheat at different time intervals will provide high quality feed for livestock and will improve livestock husbandry in arid regions. For large scale assessment of simulated grazing (clipping) impact on growth and nutritional quality of barley, rye, and wheat more research for different climates, soil, and agronomic management would be required.

Automated summary

In arid regions, simulated grazing (clipping) is the best strategy to improve the yield and nutritional quality of barley, rye, and wheat, providing high-quality feed for livestock and improving livestock production.