Analysis growth of natural herbages and meteorological conditions in Chifeng

The relationship between grass growth and meteorological conditions were comprehensively studied with the observed data related to grass growth and meteorological conditions during seven continual growing seasons from 2005 to 2011 in Chifeng City. The results showed that the meteorological conditions with Arhorchin Banner, Hexigten Banneran and Bahrain Right Banner were significantly different. For these three ecological experiment stations, the herbages turned green earlier and withered later in Arhorchin Banner than in Hexigten Banner and Bahrain Right Banner. Whereas, the highest hay yield were achieved in Hexigten Banner (984 kg·ha-1) which produced significantly more than Bahrain Right Banner (880 kg·ha-1) and Arhorchin Banner(725 kg·ha-1). For four meteorological factors, annual precipitation significantly correlated with hay yield, and the simple correlation coeffocients were 0.830, 0.727, 0.613, respectively in these three stations, which implied annual precipitation was the most important factor in determining hay yield. The direct path coefficients were 0.872, 0.753, 0.788 respectively. Therefore, the main meteorological factors of influence the forage growth and yield in this area were shortage of precipitation.