Rotational stocking and production of Italian ryegrass on Argentinean rangelands

The decreased carrying capacity of Argentinian Flooding Pampa rangelands th rough the reduction of density of Cg grasses may be partially attributed to continuous stocking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effec tiveness of rotational vs. continuous stocking to improve winter forage pro duction by incrementing the density of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). Under rotational stocking, ryegrass seedlings established almost 2 months earlier in the fall and tiller density was 3-fold higher in winter t han under continuous stocking. Aerial net primary productivity of C-3 grass es was approximately 2-fold greater under rotational compared with continuo us stocking in the first and second years. This substantial increase in win ter productivity supported almost 2-fold increase in stocking rate (from 0. 6 to 1.0 AU ha(-1)).