0000000000374446
AUTHOR
S. Granger
A multi-site study to classify semi-natural grassland types
International audience; Calibration and validation of simulation models describing herbage growth or feed quality of seminatural grasslands is a complex task for agronomists without investing effort into botanical surveys. To facilitate such modelling efforts, a limited number of grassland types were identified using a functional classification of species. These grassland types were characterized by three descriptors required to model herbage growth or feed quality: the abundance-weighted mean leaf dry matter content across grass species, the relative abundance of grasses, and an estimate of species richness. We conducted a multi-site analysis over 749 grasslands from eight temperate region…
Teaching and training in the sphere of forages. Problems to be treated and analysis of current practices
International audience; Among the various subjects taught in agricultural schools, those that deal with forages are analysed : they are rarely mentioned among the sciences related to plants and to the environment. It may nevertheless be hoped that the renovated programmes will evidence a more inclusive approach, conciliating the various problems. The forages, both annual and perennial, situated on the interface of plants and animals, are at the centre of socio-economic and environmental problems that concern whole territories. This complexity makes it difficult to train the young people who will be to-morrow's actors in the forage production. Agricultural teaching has to integrate these new…