The efficiency of pastures and forage crops in photosynthetic conversion of solar radiation in the Waikato District, New Zealand

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Abstract
The theory underlying the estimation of potential yield of herbage is briefly discussed, and an analysis of yield data in relation to this potential in terms of conversion efficiency (C.E.) is presented for the Waikato district in New Zealand. On an annual basis irrigated pastures usefully convert approximately 0.60% of incident energy (10% of estimated potential) compared with overseas evidence of C.E. in excess of 2% in cereal crops and highproducing grasses grown without supplemental water. Similar varieties grown in this district without irrigation seldom approach this level of production, and, in general, show little if any real increase in C.E. relative to that of irrigated pastures. Winter greenfeed species with C.E.s ranging from 0.60%–0.70% perform much better than permanent pastures during winter, but net gain in yield is not large.

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