A MODEL OF VERTICAL AND SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION OF COASTAL BERMUDAGRASS

The objective of this work was to develop a model of the vertical distribution of Coastal bermudagrass at the time of harvest and to relate the distribution to dry matter production over the season. The vertical distribution of Coastal bermudagrass dry matter was shown to follow a gaussian distribution. The model contained two parameters, viz. mass density at ground level (po), and characteristic height (-Z- ')• Both of these followed a gaussian distribution over the season. Since harvest yield (Ay) was estimated from the product of po and -Z-', it followed that Ay exhibited a gaussian distribution over the season, which agreed with earlier analyses by the authors. These results are relevant to agricultural production and environmental quality, and incorporate management factors (applied N, harvest interval, and water availability) into the estimation procedures. Estimates of removal of applied N by crops require an estimate of dry matter production, which in turn varies over the growing season. The present model relates production to plant characteristics (base density and characteristic height). KEYWORDS. Coastal bermudagrass. Harvesting, Forage production. Modeling.