Nov. 6-7, Dr. Phil Rolston, New Zealand grassland ecology expert, visited the Huangjiang experimental station of Karat ecosystem station, Chinese academy of science (CAS). Dr. Rolston visited experimental sites of the station including soil erosion process, pasture, crops, as well as demonstration site of Karst rocky desertification controlling. He also visited the laboratory, the meteorological information systems and the research exhibition.
Dr. Rolston spoke highly of the important role of 'pasture - livestock -biogas' model in controlling of Karst rocky desertification. Since small farmers in the area face the forage shortage in winter, Dr. Rolston demonstrated on-site on the production of silage for small farmers and on the technique of pasture rotation in winter.
According to Karst soil and climatic conditions, Rolston Dr. Put forward valuable suggestions on Karate ecosystem research involving water cycle, the introduction of high-quality forage species, different forage in different season and forage and crop rotation etc.
As a professor of AgResearch (New Zealand's Largest Crown Research Institute) and an adjunct professor of Lincoln University (New Zealand), Dr. Rolston gave a detailed introduction to the station’s research staff and graduate students on AgResearch Centre research fields and achievement and the policy of exchange student of Lincoln University.
Dr. Rolston's visiting further strengthens the cooperation between the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture (CAS) and AgResearch and Lincoln University.