| Analysis was made of the effects of mowing on Orchardgrass canopy, especially as it pertained to the initiation of soil erosion. Results of this analysis indicated that both the change in open ground area and the self mulching capability of a canopy were important mowing impacts. A grass growth model was developed to predict both of these soil erosion variables. Equations predicting the change in leaf length, width, ligule diameter, leaf profile form and tiller density with respect to both time and clipping height were developed. A computer model encompassing all of the growth algorithms was written for limited analysis of mowing frequencies and clipping heights. |
