Effects of grazing and spacing on growth dynamic of some woody fodder plants

The leaf growth dynamic and forage production in relation to the effect of spacing and grazing by sheep were
studied in the woody species Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, Amorpha fruticosa and Morus alba. The study was conducted in a seιni-arid area with poor sandy soil, in northem Greece. The species were establishment in three different spacings (1.5X1.5m, 2.5Χ2.5m and 3.5X3.5m). Plants were one year-old at the time of planting and kept in the shrubby form by cutting back during the winter. Grazing was applied two times during the summer period (early July and late August) of 1992, 1993 and 1994. They were measured: the leaf growth rate, forage production, water potential and stomatal conductance. It was found that growth rate was not affected by spacing. The highest forage production per unit area was accomplished in the 1.5X1.5m spacing while the highest forage production per shrub was in the 3.5X3.5m spacing. Robinia presented the highest 1eaf growth rate (0.14cm/day) and forage production (394kg/ha). The influence of grazing increased leaf RGR and maintained the production at high leνels during summer. Morus was well adapted to the specific environment and to grazing.