EFFECT OF CUTTING HEIGHT AND FREQUENCY ON THE ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS IN A CENTRAL HIMALAYAN GRASSLAND IN INDIA

The seasonal changes in the biomass of top growth and litter in a temp erate grassland with a 6-month growing season in the central Himalayan region were investigated. Treatments consisted of 2 cutting schedules (30 and 60-day intervals) and 2 cutting heights (5 and 15 cm) and an unclipped control. Chrysopogon montanus, Heteropogon contortus and Eul alia trispicata were the dominant grasses having 41, 12 and 33% respec tively of the total basal cover, and contributed 72-77% of total above -ground biomass. Cutting at 5 cm height decreased net above-ground pro ductivity compared with the unclipped control, whereas cutting at 15 c m produced an increase. Cutting at 30-day intervals reduced productivi ty compared with 60-day intervals when pastures were cut at 5 cm, but had less effect at 15 cm. Annual above-ground biomass ranged from 5730 -8860 kg/ha. The best management option is to protect the grassland an d cut-and-carry at the end of the growing season.