Effects of cutting time and stubble height on hay yield and quality of Leymus chinensis meadow

The effects of different cutting time and stubble height on hay yield and quality of Leymus chinensis meadow in the western of Jilin Province were studied during the period of August 1 to September 1 in 2014. The results showed that with the delay of cutting time, the coverage of community significantly increased (P<0.05), while the crude protein(CP) content of both community and L. chinensis significantly decreased, the change of root biomass of community in the soil depth of 0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm the presented the process of increasing to decreasing, while the change of rhizome biomass of L. chinensis in 10-20 cm soil depth presented the process of decreasing. The hay yield of both community and L. chinensis were the highest when cutting time was August 15. The hay yield of community was the highest in stubble height of 8 cm, and that of L. chinensis was the highest in stubble height of 2 cm. The nutrient content of community and L. chinensis did not significantly change in stubble height of 2~8 cm. The highest yield and fine forage quality were achived when the cutting time was August 15 and stubble height at 2 cm in L. chinensis meadow in the western of Jilin Province.