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Gongshe Liu
Xiaoxia Li
Qingfen Zhang Editors

Sheepgrass
(Leymus chinensis):
An Environmentally
Friendly Native
Grass for Animals
Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis):
An Environmentally Friendly Native Grass
for Animals
Gongshe Liu • Xiaoxia Li • Qingfen Zhang
Editors

Sheepgrass (Leymus
chinensis):
An Environmentally Friendly
Native Grass for Animals
Editors
Gongshe Liu Xiaoxia Li
Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Key Laboratory of Plant Resources,
Institute of Botany Institute of Botany
Chinese Academy of Sciences Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing, China Beijing, China

Qingfen Zhang
Key Laboratory of Plant Resources,
Institute of Botany
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Beijing, China

ISBN 978-981-13-8632-9    ISBN 978-981-13-8633-6 (eBook)

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8633-6

© Science Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019

This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publishers, whether the whole or part of
the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation,
broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information
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The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication
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protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.
The publishers, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this
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or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any
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claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
The registered company address is: 152 Beach Road, #21-01/04 Gateway East, Singapore 189721,
Singapore
Foreword

It is with pleasure that I write this foreword to the new book by Professor
Gongshe Liu.
Leymus chinensis (sheepgrass) is one of the most widely geographically distrib-
uted Triticeae grasses; it is an important forage and ecological restoration grass in
China. Dr. Liu has a very broad understanding of L. chinensis across China and has
been working on L. chinensis for over 20 years. His main interest is the system
research and development of germplasm of L. chinensis. His research areas include
forage genetic resources and molecular breeding and studies on the sexual repro-
duction mechanism and the molecular basis of biotic and abiotic stress tolerances of
L. chinensis. Over the years, his research outcomes have been published in peer-­
reviewed scientific journals. He held 18 registered patents of invention and has
developed new varieties of sheepgrass Zhongke Nos. 1, 2, and 3. He is author of
two-volumed textbooks on L. chinensis germplasm as well as a textbook on practi-
cal techniques for L. chinensis plantation in China.
Now, Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis): An Environmentally Friendly Native Grass
for Animals will be a reference book that compiles all aspects of L. chinensis, such
as basic knowledge, varietal development and utilization, sexual reproduction and
seed traits, saline-alkaline resistance, nutrient and water absorption and applica-
tions, responsive mechanisms to defoliation, and gene resource mining and function
research. It will be used widely in all provinces of China in the preservation and
development of new cultivars and by those interested in grass systematics. This
book will also be useful for forage breeders, Triticeae researchers, scientists, and
graduate students interested in biosystematics, genetic resources management, nat-
ural resource management, and rangeland management.

Professor, School of Applied Systems Biology German Spangenberg

La Trobe University
Bundoora, VIC, Australia
AgriBio, Centre for AgriBioscience
La Trobe University
Bundoora, VIC, Australia v
Acknowledgment

Why do we study sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)? Dating back to 1994, Professor

Zhensheng Li, an academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), who was its
vice president at that time, paid particular attention to the food security in China and
indicated “Building an ecologically sound North China grassland and animal hus-
bandry is critically important for food security and as an Ecology Great Wall for
China.” However, the lack of a suitable forage grass had been the major obstacle of
the development of the herbivore husbandry in North China. Under such circum-
stance, he suggested that our research team at the Institute of Botany, Chinese
Academy of Sciences should focus on the superior local native grass species, sheep-
grass, and should select the germplasm resources of high quality for systematic
research and further cultivation of new sheepgrass varieties. Professor Li’s proposal
proved to be a feasible research field of great significance. With the supports and
advice from him, there have been more than 50 researchers and graduate students
contributing to the systematic study on sheepgrass in the last two decades, resulting
in the plentiful achievements including 18 patents, 3 new varieties of sheepgrass,
and 3 academic books. Professor Li is undoubtedly the guider of the research of
sheepgrass germplasm resource in China.
Chinese scientists have achieved many outstanding progress and results in the
sheepgrass research on germplasm resource, domestication, cultivation, physiologi-
cal ecology, ecological restoration, etc. Numerous academic works have been pub-
lished in Chinese. In 2004, Yang-cao Biological Ecology was published by Professor
Tingcheng Zhu as the editor in chief. In 2011, Gongshe Liu et al. published Studies
on Germplasm Resources of Leymus chinensis (Volume 1). In 2015, Gongshe Liu
and Xiaoxia Li as the editors in chief published Studies on Germplasm Resources of
Leymus chinensis (Volume 2). Also in 2015, Seeds Ecological Research of
Sheepgrass was published by Professor Jixiang Lin and Chunsheng Mu. In 2017,
Questions and Answers of Sheepgrass Planting Technology was published by
Gongshe Liu et al. The publication of this present book, Sheepgrass (Leymus chi-
nensis): An Environmentally Friendly Native Grass for Animals, is an additional
contribution to the existing sheepgrass research. These basic and applied

vii
viii Acknowledgment

a­ chievements on sheepgrass research contributed to the features and advantages of

the native grass research in China.
Consisted mainly of research reviews, this book features the systematic and con-
clusive integrations based on the previous studies on sheepgrass. In order to have a
full coverage on sheepgrass research in China, there is certain overlap between this
book and the two previous volumes of Studies on Germplasm Resources of Leymus
chinensis published in Chinese. In the convenience for the readers and also with
respect for intellectual property, I cited the original publications as far as possible in
this book in order to present the comprehensive knowledges and research works of
sheepgrass to the English readers.
The authors of this book are nearly 30 scientists and experts from 17 institutes,
including CAS Institute of Botany, Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, and
Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Peking University, Lanzhou
University, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangdong Academy of
Agricultural Sciences, etc. Dr. Xiaoxia Li has contributed a great deal of time and
efforts to organize the contents. Thanks to her tremendous efforts and continuous
coordination, the book was edited in cooperation among authors. All of the authors
worked hard with precision and motivation, and here, I deeply appreciate their con-
tributions to this book.
This book is supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (“973”
program), National High Technology Research and Development Program of China
(“863” program), National Natural Science Foundation of China, Project of
Agricultural Office Chinese Academy of Sciences, Funding Project of the
Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements of the Ministry of
Science and Technology of China, National Special Project for Transgenic
Technology of China, Project of Ministry of Agriculture of China, etc., which I
deeply thank.
Professor German Spangenberg, an academician of the Australian Academy of
Sciences, is also the main founder and leader of the International Molecular
Breeding of Forage and Turf Conference. He is very familiar with, and supports, the
pratacultural science and high technology in China. I thank him very much for writ-
ing the foreword for this book despite his busy schedule.
I sincerely thank all the following colleagues who offered their help and support:
Jizhou Ren, Zhibiao Nan, Jingyun Fang, Zhicai Wang, Zongli Wang, Weiwei Li,
Xinshi Lu, Xiu-Qing Li (Canada), Zengyu Wang (USA), Alan Stewart (New
Zealand), etc. I will always remember their pursuit in prataculture and their support
for the sheepgrass research and industrial development.
My greatest gratitude goes to my wife, Yanyan, and my son, Yifei. Along with my
many relatives and friends, they are the strong backups for my work and life. I sin-
cerely thank them all.
I would also like to thank the staff at Springer for their help and support.

Beijing, China  Gongshe Liu

2018.11.30
Abstract

Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel) is a key species in the eastern part of
the Eurasian steppe and is widely distributed in North China. It has extensive adapt-
ability, high animal husbandry value, and ecological environment value. In the past
30 years, Chinese scientists collected and evaluated thousands of wild sheepgrass
germplasm resources. A large amount of basic research about sexual reproduction,
high yield, quality, and abiotic stress had been carried out. Various new varieties for
different regions have been developed and are in utilization. This book summarizes
the latest research results of sheepgrass both here and abroad and introduces the
basic knowledge at different levels. The content of this book includes the distribu-
tion and origin, breeding, cultivation, and sexual reproduction of sheepgrass. It also
includes the research progress of sheepgrass on nutrient and water absorption and
applications, grazing resistance mechanism, and gene resource mining.

ix
Contents

1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)............................. 1

Gongshe Liu, Dongmei Qi, Xiaobing Dong, Hui Liu, and Shu Liu
2 Distribution and Germplasm Phenotypic Diversity of Sheepgrass
(Leymus chinensis)................................................................................... 53
Zhipeng Liu
3 Varieties and Application Models of Sheepgrass
(Leymus chinensis)................................................................................... 65
Dongmei Qi, Xiaobing Dong, Hui Liu, Gongshe Liu,
and Shenglin Hou
4 Sexual Reproduction of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)...................... 85
Junting Jia, Xiaoxia Li, and Dongmei Qi
5 Seed Traits and Germination Characteristics
of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)........................................................... 101
Xiaoxia Li, Zhujiang Liu, Panpan Liu, Guangxiao Yuan,
and Shu Liu
6 Saline–Alkaline Resistance: Physiological and Ecological
Characteristics of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)................................ 117
Hongyuan Ma
7 Nutrient Absorption and Applications of Sheepgrass
(Leymus chinensis)................................................................................... 139
Mingde Hao, Xiaobing Dong, and Xiaoxia Li
8 Absorption and Utilization of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)
on Water.................................................................................................... 165
Xiaobing Dong, Hongren Sun, and Mingde Hao

xi
xii Contents

9 Compensatory Growth Pattern of Sheepgrass

(Leymus chinensis)................................................................................... 181
Qingfen Zhang, Gongshe Liu, and Zhongyue Chen
10 Response Mechanism of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis)
to Mowing................................................................................................. 197
Xiaofeng Li, Qingfen Zhang, and Gongshe Liu
11 Advances on Gene Resource Mining in Sheepgrass
(Leymus chinensis)................................................................................... 231
Shuangyan Chen, Xin Huang, Xueqing Yan, Lexin Zhang,
and Pincang Zhao
12 Cloning and Function Research of Sheepgrass
(Leymus chinensis) Genes........................................................................ 247
Liqin Cheng, Xianjun Peng, Man Su, Xiaoxia Li, Qiong Gao,
and Xingyong Ma
About the Author

Liu Gongshe was born in 1958 in a small village of

Shaanxi Province in China. He is a PI and PhD supervi-
sor of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He
majored in agronomy in Northwest Agriculture and
Forestry University during 1978–1981, pursued
advanced studies in the University of Clermont-Ferrand
II and CNRS in France during 1982–1986, and earned
his Ph.D. in Plant Physiology. During 1986–1988, he
was doing postdoctoral work in the team of Academician
Wang Fuxiong in CAS. Since 1989, he was dedicated
to his research work in the Institute of Botany, CAS, till
now, where he is currently the group leader of the
Center of Plant Genetic Resources and Molecular
Breeding. His research areas include forage genetic
resources and molecular breeding, sexual reproduction
mechanism, and molecular basis of the resistance of
sheepgrass. His main interest is the system research
and development of germplasm of sheepgrass. His rep-
resentative research results were published in Plant
Biotechnology Journal, Plant and Cell Physiology,
BMC Genomics, and Acta Prataculturae Sinica. He
has also published the books Study on Germplasm of
Leymus chinensis, Volumes 1 and 2 and Question and
Answer on Practical Technique for Sheepgrass
Plantation. He held 18 registered patents of invention
and has developed Zhongke Nos. 1, 2, and 3, the new
varieties of Leymus chinensis. Concurrently, he is the
chairman of Biotechnology Committee of Chinese
Grassland Society, and his group has won the first prize
of science and technology from Chinese Grassland
Society in 2014–2015.

xiii
xiv About the Author

Xiaoxia Li majored in pratacultural science in Lanzhou

University during 2002–2009 and received her bache-
lor’s and master’s degrees. During 2009–2013, she
studied in the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of
Sciences, and earned her Ph.D. Since 2013, she was
dedicated to her research work in the Institute of
Botany, CAS, till now. Her research orientation is for-
age genetic resources and the molecular basis of resis-
tance and seed germination of sheepgrass. Her
representative research results were published in
Journal of Experimental Botany, Plant Biotechnology
Journal, Plant and Cell Physiology, BMC plant biol-
ogy, Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Acta
Prataculturae Sinica, and so on. Moreover, she has
published the book Study on Germplasm of Leymus
chinensis, Volume 2, together with Liu Gongshe.

Qingfen Zhang born in May 1980, is doctoral gradu-

ate student of the Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy
of Sciences, expert of Renewable Energy Center of
Energy Research Institute of the National Development
and Reform Commission and Internet Society of China,
and special expert of China Quality Certification
Center. He engaged in the research of technology and
policy in the related fields of biological industry over
10 years. As the main head of the project and the key
member of the national and provincial level projects,
he participates in the research on more than 50 major
strategic planning and policy issues. He cooperated and
participated in writing of more than ten books and
more than ten papers which are published in the core
journals and completed nearly million words of
research reports. In addition, he won the third prize of
the People’s Government of Beijing Science and
Technology Research, second prize of the National
Energy Administration Soft Science Research, and
other provincial and ministerial level scientific and
technological achievements awards.
Chapter 1
Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus
chinensis)

Gongshe Liu, Dongmei Qi, Xiaobing Dong, Hui Liu, and Shu Liu

Abstract Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis (Trin.) Tzvel) is the key species which is
widely distributed in eastern Eurasia steppe. It is a perennial gramineous plant
belonging to Leymus, Triticeae, and Poaceae. As a very important forage grass of
great value in animal husbandry, sheepgrass is well known for its abundant foliage,
high palatability, and high nutritive content. Sheepgrass is also valuable in grassland
repair and reservation since it is a perennial grass with a rhizome network to fix the
soil and can survive well in stressful environments. Based on the sufficient morpho-
logical and developmental knowledge, the cultivation and plantation of sheepgrass
had become the focus of many grass breeders. In recent decades, a variety of new
cultivars of sheepgrass such as “Zhongke” series were verified for the grass and
seed production. In the artificial grassland establishment of sheepgrass, proper
watering and essential fertilizers assure the plant growth and the production of grass
and seed. As a fine grass with resistance to various stresses, multiple scientific stud-
ies on development and stress tolerance of sheepgrass have drawn the attention of
many researchers.

1.1 Value and Distribution of Sheepgrass

1.1.1 Derivation of the Name Sheepgrass

Sheep prefer to eat many varieties of forage crops, which are not necessarily called
sheepgrass. Sheepgrass, a botanical species similar to wheat and maize, has the
Latin and scientific name of Leymus chinensis (simplified Chinese, 羊草; and
Pinyin, Yáng Cǎo). As a high-quality forage crop, sheepgrass is nutritious and palat-
able; sheep and goats particularly like to eat sheepgrass. Thus, this plant deserves

G. Liu (*) · D. Qi · X. Dong · H. Liu · S. Liu

Key Laboratory of Plant Resources, Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences,
Beijing, China
e-mail: liugs@ibcas.ac.cn

© Science Press and Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2019 1

G. Liu et al. (eds.), Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis): An Environmentally
Friendly Native Grass for Animals,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-8633-6_1
2 G. Liu et al.

the name of sheepgrass (a grass for sheep). In Northeastern China with chernozem
containing carbonate minerals and in other areas with saline-alkali pastures, sheep-
grass is often referred to as an alkali-tolerant grass because of its strong saline-alkali
resistance.
In Chinese studies of sheepgrass, L. chinensis was termed “Yangcao” by Mr.
Tingcheng Zhu in some international conference papers according to the pronuncia-
tion in Chinese directly. Dr. Gongshe Liu and his group used sheepgrass in their
research papers published on various international academic journals. In some aca-
demic works, sheepgrass is also called Chinese Lymes.

1.1.2 Relatives of Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass is a perennial gramineous plant belonging to Leymus, Triticeae, and

Poaceae. Common species of Leymus includes the following: L. chinensis, a forage
crop of superior quality; L. racemosus, which is a sand-controlling plant and a good
parent cultivating improved variety of wheat; L. secalinus, which is well adapted to
a wide range and belongs to a medium-quality forage crop plant; L. tianschanicus,
which originates from Xinjiang, China, grows on the upper part of the pasture belt of
Mount Tianshan and is distributed in the Soviet Union and in Central Asia; L. angus-
tus, L. multicaulis, L. racemosus, and L. mollis, which grow on sandy coasts and have
rhizomes that can fix quicksand for grazing when it is small and tender; and L. ova-
tus, L. paboanus, L. akmolinensis, L. arenarius, L. cinereus, L. hybrid, L. karelinii,
and L. salinus. These species are tetraploid, hexaploid, octagonal, and diploid, with
the number of chromosomes up to 12 × 7 = 84, and are an inexhaustible gene pool
for genetic improvement of important crops, such as wheat. Studies have been con-
ducted on the origins of Leymus, which consists of 38 species worldwide. Furthermore,
plants belonging to Leymus have the genomic constitution of NsNsXmXm and the
chromosome constitution of 2n = 4× = 28. Ns are probably rooted in Psathyrostachys
nevski. However, the origin of the Xm genome of Leymus remains unknown.

1.1.3 Distribution of Wild Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass is widely distributed at around 36–62° North latitude and 120–132° East
longitude. This species is mainly distributed and probably originates at the east end
of the Eurasian steppe, which altitude is about 600–2400 m. In China, sheepgrass is
mainly distributed in the Northeastern provinces, including Heilongjiang, Jilin,
Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Hebei, Shanxi, Beijing, Tianjin, Shaanxi, Ningxia,
Gansu, Qinghai, and Xinjiang. Sheepgrass also grows in Russia, Mongolia, the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and Japan. Sheepgrass is distributed world-
wide in an estimated area of 280 million ha, half of which is in China. Sheepgrass
is mainly distributed in eastern pastures of Inner Mongolia and in the Songnen Plain
in Northeastern China (Figs. 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, and 1.4).
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 3

Fig. 1.1 Hulunbuir Prairie is a natural gene pool of sheepgrass

Fig. 1.2 Sheepgrass – the key species of the Xilin Gol Prairie

1.1.4 Cultivation Areas of Sheepgrass in China

Collection and cultivation of wild sheepgrass in China originated from the Songnen
Plain and Eastern Inner Mongolia. After germplasm collection and long-term
breeding, the artificial cultivation of sheepgrass gradually started in the other areas
4 G. Liu et al.

Fig. 1.3 Bashang Prairie in Hebei Province

Fig. 1.4 Prairie of wild sheepgrass in Heilongjiang Province of Northeastern China

1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 5

Fig. 1.5 Wild sheepgrass on the Bashang Prairie and artificially cultivated “Zhongke” series
sheepgrass

of China. With breeding and promotion of new varieties of “Zhongke” series in

recent years, sheepgrass has been subjected to large-scale artificial cultivation in
China, covering Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Hebei, Gansu, Ningxia, and
Heilongjiang (Fig. 1.5).

1.1.5 Animals Preferring to Eat Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass has a unique herbaceous aroma, which makes it palatable, and a very
high nutritive value. Thus, many animals, such as horses, cattle, sheep, rabbits, and
geese, are in favor of sheepgrass. However, since excessive grazing caused the pas-
tures to exceed the ecological carrying capacity of the prairie, severe environmental
issues such as the degeneration, desertification, and salinization of the prairie occur.

1.1.6 Advantages of Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass exhibits the following advantages compared to other forage crops:

1. Sheepgrass is a perennial herbaceous plant. Once it finishes planting, it may be
used for several decades, resulting in relatively low production cost.
2. This specie is strongly resistant to stress including drought, cold, saline, alkali,
and grazing and able to recover quickly after the grass harvesting.
3. Sheepgrass is palatable, nutritious, and conducive for healthy growth and devel-
opment of grass-feeding livestock.
4. This species is extensively distributed, has high productivity, and can meet the
requirements of large-scale intensive production.
5. It is non-deciduous, easy to process and store, and characterized by long harvest
time and low nutrient loss, thereby saving harvesting and storage costs.
6 G. Liu et al.

6. Sheepgrass can grow in the arid saline land of Northern China and can also pro-
vide high-quality forage, improve soil quality, and restore vegetation. Thus,
sheepgrass has a very wide range of application.

1.1.7 Nutrient Components of Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass is widely distributed in famous prairies of China, including the Hulunbuir

Prairie, the Xilin Gol Prairie, and the Songnen Plain. Sheepgrass has always been
hugely popular among herbivores especially as staple food and fine kernel for cattle,
horses, and sheep, etc. This species is also rated in the first class among all types of
forage crops. Sheepgrass grows well in the cold and semiarid zones, with a rela-
tively high production, regrowth in earlier spring, relatively late withering and yel-
lowing in autumn and strong resistance to grazing. In addition, sheepgrass is
recognized as a highly adaptable plant. Finally, sheepgrass with large foliage vol-
ume is nutritious, palatable, conducive to animal growth and development, and
favored by livestock throughout the year. These excellent features make sheepgrass
comprehensively valuable in animal husbandry.
Zhao et al. (2016) found that sheepgrass has a fecal energy of 10.11 MJ/d, uri-
nary energy of 0.88 MJ/d, methane energy of 1.29 MJ/d, digestive energy of
9.76 MJ/d, and metabolic energy of 7.59 MJ/d. The aboveground part of sheepgrass
can be used as feed. As a premium forage crop, sheepgrass is nutritious, mainly
containing crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, nitrogen-free extract, trace ele-
ments, calcium, phosphate, and vitamin E. Among them, crude fiber is indispens-
able from the gastrointestinal health of grass-feeding livestock. In the hays of
sheepgrass, the content of crude protein is 13.35%, crude fat is 2.58%, crude fiber is
37.57%, nitrogen-free extract is 31.45%, and the ash content is 5.11%. Furthermore,
sheepgrass is rich in minerals and carotene, and the content of carotene in its dry
matter ranges from 49.5 to 85.87 mg/kg. Vitamin E is one of the essential vitamins
that animals need, and its content in a forage crop is the main manifestation of feed-
ing value. The content of vitamin E in the dried sample of Silphium perfoliatum L.
is about 65 mg/kg, while that in the powdered sample of alfalfa is 98–144 mg/kg.
Researchers have determined the contents of vitamin E in the dried leaves of sheep-
grass of 18 varieties. The results showed that the content of vitamin E in sheepgrass
was 448 mg/kg on average, varying within the range of 229.71–1187.58 mg/kg,
suggesting a large space for breeding improvements. Moreover, the content of vita-
min E in the grayish-green sheepgrass is higher than that in the yellowish-green
type. At the heading stage, the content of vitamin E in the rhizome of sheepgrass is
higher than that in the leaf, stem, or young panicle.
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 7

1.1.8  utritional Changes of Sheepgrass at Different Stages

N
of Growth

The growth of sheepgrass can be divided into the following different stages: seed-
ling, jointing, heading, flowering, milking, wax ripeness, and ripening. The contents
of nutrients in sheepgrass, such as crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash content,
calcium, and phosphate, vary with the growth stage, of which the basic rule is as the
growth stage changes from the jointing stage, the content of crude protein reduces
gradually. However, those of crude fiber and acid detergent fiber (ADF) ascend
slightly. The content of crude fat reaches the peak at the milking stage and is rela-
tively lower at the seedling and flowering stages, while the ash content decreases
during the vegetative growth of sheepgrass. The content of calcium is gradually
increasing during the vegetative growth, reaches the peak at the heading stage, and
then decreases gradually. The phosphorus content reaches the peak during the
period from the jointing stage to the heading stage. The variations in the nutritional
components and contents of sheepgrass at different stages can guide its grazing,
mowing, and feed production.
Su (2016) found that on an experimental base of “Zhongke” series sheepgrass in
Ningxia, the content of crude protein decreases with the extension of the growth
period. For instance, fertilizing by 180 kg·hm−2, the content of crude protein is
18.1% at the jointing stage and 11.9% at the harvesting stage (Fig. 1.6). As the

Fig. 1.6 Crude protein content in sheepgrass at different mowing stages under different nitrogen
fertilizing rates. Note: Different fertilizing rates at the same growth stage are indicated by columns
in different colors
8 G. Liu et al.

Fig. 1.7 ADF content in sheepgrass under different fertilizing rates during different development
stages. Note: 0–240 represent different fertilizing rates and fertilizing rates at the same growth
stage are indicated by columns in different colors

growth period extends, the ADF content increases, and the digestibility of forage
crop is lowered. Taking the control group for an example, the ADF content is 23.7%
at the jointing stage and 35.0% at the harvesting stage (Fig. 1.7). Moreover, the
crude fat content reaches the peak at the jointing stage, accounting to 2.71–2.85%,
and the valley at the flowering stage, accounting to 1.42–1.51% (Fig. 1.8). However,
there is no significant difference in the content of crude fat between the flowering
stage and the maturity stage.

1.1.9 Value of Sheepgrass in Grazing and Feeding

Feedstuff in animal husbandry is generally divided into concentrates and roughages.

Concentrated feed is characterized by high contents of nutrients per unit weight,
with low crude fiber content and high rate of digestion. Concentrates include bean
cake, cottonseed cake, corn, and bran. Roughages, on the other hand, have low
water content and high crude fiber and are mostly fed to the livestock dried. Forage
crops and stalks fall into roughages. Roughages that are often used in animal hus-
bandry include alfalfa, oats, sheepgrass, and corn silage. Particularly in animal hus-
bandry on the prairie, sheepgrass is staple food for grass-feeding livestock. Secondly,
the natural green hay in Chinese commercial grass is composed mainly of
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 9

Fig. 1.8 Crude fat content of sheepgrass under different fertilizing rates during different develop-
ment stages. Note: Different fertilizing rates at the same growth stage are indicated by columns in
different colors

sheepgrass, resulting in higher trading volume than other forage crops. In addition,
sheepgrass is nutritious and palatable. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt superior
varieties for the standardized cultivation and production of sheepgrass. Sheepgrass
could be referred to as “the king of forage grasses,” since it had become the major
component of roughages in the foraging and pasturing in China. However, in the
previous production and marketing of natural sheepgrass, green hays contained
some of the harmful weeds, such as Stipa baicalensis Roshev., Stipa capillata L.,
and wormwood, which greatly reduced the nutritive value and the feeding efficiency
of the roughages titled and sold as sheepgrass. As a result, the reputation of sheep-
grass has been questioned in animal husbandry.

1.1.10 Domestic and Foreign Demands for Sheepgrass

According to the data obtained from the China’s pasture statistics of the National
Animal Husbandry Station (Ministry of Agriculture), the production area of sheep-
grass in China has been calculated as about 667 thousand ha in total. The “Zhongke”
series sheepgrass is entering a larger-area demonstration and promotion in China,
10 G. Liu et al.

covering the provinces of Ningxia, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Hebei, and also
Northeastern China. In the next decade, the potential demand of sheepgrass in
Northern China is estimated to reach about 30–60 million ha, while the probable
international market potential is reckoned to reach 120 million ha. Since 1980,
China has begun to export substantial amount of sheepgrass to Japan, South Korea,
and other countries, and the export amount of sheepgrass hays from Heilongjiang to
Japan had reached 25,600 tons by 1985, with an annual export amount of 4267 tons.

1.1.11 Purpose of Fresh and Dried Sheepgrass

Generally, it is better to feed the animals with fresh sheepgrass, which could be
accomplished by directly grazing and forage-feeding. Grazing in the pasture allows
fresh sheepgrass to retain more available water and nutrients for livestock. Higher
water content makes fresh sheepgrass more palatable and extra supplements to ani-
mals. In addition, fresh sheepgrass is comprehensively richer in nutrients. The natu-
ral drying of sheepgrass leads to loss of water, but the living plant cells that have not
died are still breathing and keep consuming the inherent nutritive matter of sheep-
grass in the process. Therefore, considering the nutritive value of feeds, fresh sheep-
grass is evidently superior to the dry grass. However, in the practical activities of
animal husbandry, the feeding demand goes far beyond the supply of fresh sheep-
grass especially during particular seasons, and dried grass presents the advantages
obliged in transporting and storage. Therefore, both the dried and fresh sheepgrass
in the forage industry as well as the pasture activities should be applied depending
on comprehensive consideration. In the past few decades, the haymaking methods
and techniques of sheepgrass are relatively well developed, which is substantially
significant for grass production and animal husbandry.

1.1.12 Other Value of Sheepgrass

As a high-quality forage crop, sheepgrass may be used for grazing and haymaking.
Moreover, sheepgrass is a plant that can be used for environmental restoration.
Given that the rhizome of sheepgrass has strong penetration ability, it can form a
strong root network that may play important roles in the conservation of water and
soil, preventing water loss and soil erosion, which makes it significant for dust pre-
vention and sand fixation. The biodiversity of sheepgrass also has certain ecological
value. Prairie soil animals are important parts of the prairie ecosystem, playing
important roles in the formation and aging of soil and in the energy conversion and
material circulation of the ecosystem. Studies have shown that soil animals in the
community of sheepgrass are relatively multifarious, having certain ecological
value. Furthermore, the stems of sheepgrass have good value to be used as a source
of fiber. In addition, sheepgrass also has certain landscape value. Large area of
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 11

sheepgrass can show the unique landscape that “sheep and cattle emerge when the
wind downs grass” and can make the environment beautiful while using it for envi-
ronmental restoration.

1.1.13  sage of Sheepgrass to Prevent Water Loss and Soil

U
Erosion

The root system of sheepgrass is very strong, with well-developed rhizome under-
ground that can hold soil well. The rhizome network of sheepgrass firmly fixes soil;
thus soil cannot leave from the root system of sheepgrass easily. In addition, sheep-
grass has developed asexual reproduction characteristics. On the prairie, the density
of sheepgrass plants is high, thereby avoiding any water loss or soil erosion caused
by high wind and other weather conditions to some extent. Arguably, the rhizome
characteristics and the growth density enable the sheepgrass plant to effectively
hold soil and to prevent water loss and soil erosion (Figs. 1.9, 1.10, and 1.11). Li
(2011) found that the application of N, P, and K fertilizer may effectively increase
the density of leaves and roots by 1884/m2 and 11,429/m2, respectively. The bio-
mass of the aboveground part of sheepgrass in double harvests is 16.84 t/hm2, while
that of the underground part is 5.32 t/hm2 (Table 1.1).

Fig. 1.9 One seed producing hundreds of tiller buds in 1 year through vegetative propagation
12 G. Liu et al.

Fig. 1.10 The root

network of sheepgrass,
including the fibrous root
system and the rhizome

Fig. 1.11 Sheepgrass gradually covering the ground surface, preventing soil erosion caused by
wind and desertification (relying upon the rhizome and tiller expansion)

Table 1.1 Dry matter weight for the above and underground parts
Grass weight (aboveground part)
Sample 1 Sample 2 Total Weight Root weight (underground part)
Weight (kg/m2) 1.084 0.564 1.648 0.564
1.116 0.58 1.696 0.516
1.096 0.556 1.652 0.544
1.124 0.568 1.692 0.528
1.184 0.556 1.74 0.516
Average weight (kg/m2) 1.684 0.532
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 13

1.1.14  sage of Sheepgrass for Wind Prevention, Sand

U
Fixation, and Dust Suppression

Sheepgrass mostly grows in arid and sandy areas, and its root system has a sand-­
sleeve structure. Sand-sleeve structure is a cylindrical sleeve-like structure formed
by the agglomeration of sand, which can bond sand. Moreover, the well-developed
rhizome system of sheepgrass supports vegetative propagation, with the rhizome
sticking out of soil and distributed at random. Planting sheepgrass can effectively
reduce soil drifting; however, it would result to having significant differences with
varying coverage. The annual average amount of soil drifting of natural pasture on
the Bashang Plateau is 37,410 kg per ha; this amount of soil drift is effectively
reduced after planting sheepgrass. When the coverage after planting sheepgrass is
20%, 60%, or 100%, the annual amount of soil conservation is 7390.5, 28432.5, or
35,502 kg per ha, respectively. Moreover, the soil holding capacity of sheepgrass
varies with the soil type. With lower coverage, the soil-holding effect of sheepgrass
on loam is greater than that on sandy soil.

1.1.15 Benefits of Sheepgrass Feeding Animals

Studies have shown that the “Zhongke” series sheepgrass is productive, high-­
quality, and palatable. Given its lower production costs, the market price may be
lower than alfalfa. Using “Zhongke” series sheepgrass for feeding cannot only meet
the nutritional requirements of livestock but also reduce the production costs.
Studies have shown that using “Zhongke” series sheepgrass as a substitute for
alfalfa in feeding Tan sheep does not affect the growth and carcass traits of Tan
sheep. However, it improves the mutton quality and economic benefits of Tan sheep.
The artificial rumen fermentation results of sheepgrass and its combination diets
have shown that the appropriate proportion of sheepgrass is better for producing the
combined effect of feedstuffs than oats. Therefore, in the actual production, using
sheepgrass instead of oats can improve the feed efficiency and reduce costs. On the
other hand, goose has certain ability to use sheepgrass as one of its sources of
dietary fiber.

1.2 Morphology and Development of Sheepgrass

1.2.1 Plant Height of Sheepgrass

Under normal circumstances, the aboveground part of sheepgrass has two nodes to
four nodes and three nodes to six nodes calculated from the tillering node. Under
natural conditions, the reproductive branches of sheepgrass reach the peak value
14 G. Liu et al.

during the period from the flowering stage to the seed maturity stage, and at the
moment the spike height is 40–60 cm. At the same time, the height of the adjacent
vegetative branch is 20–60 cm. The spike height of some germplasm is over 175 cm,
and its vegetative branch height goes beyond 185 cm. For sheepgrass cultivated in a
greenhouse, the vegetative branch can grow indefinitely, and it sometimes exceeds
230 cm in length, at least having 18 nodes. For new varieties of the artificially cul-
tivated “Zhongke 1” sheepgrass, the spike height is about 100–160 cm, while the
height of the vegetative branch is 60–80 cm under normal cultivation conditions. If
mown 3–4 times a year, the plant height is more than 200 cm in total, exhibiting a
very high yield as a forage crop (Fig. 1.12).

Fig. 1.12 Plant heights of sheepgrass varying significantly from 41 to 89 cm and to 230 cm
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 15

1.2.2 Root System of Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass is a rhizomatous forage crop of the family Poaceae, of which the rhi-
zome is an important reproductive organ (diameter = 2–3 mm) and turns from ivory
into yellow and then brown with the extension of the growth stage. The root system
of sheepgrass is well-developed. While encountering sheepgrass in the wild, we
may try to pull it up. However, uprooting sheepgrass is difficult, which is directly
related to the root characteristics of sheepgrass. The root of sheepgrass is prone to
producing adventitious roots at the tillering node, forming fibrous roots. Meanwhile,
the rhizodermis has more root hairs. The root system of sheepgrass is commonly
found 5–20 cm deep in soil, with well-developed underground rhizome. Sheepgrass
may utilize rhizome for vegetative reproduction. The rhizomes of two adjacent
plants of sheepgrass are occasionally linked together underground, thus forming a
dense and compact root network underground. Thus, the sheepgrass plant is hard to
uproot. In addition, the fibrous root of sheepgrass has a sand-sleeve structure that
can bond the sandy soil. The field sowing was conducted in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia,
in July 2016. The sample was taken in May 2017, with one plant of sheepgrass
producing 31 tiller buds and has rhizome length of 142 cm (Fig. 1.13a). One seed
was potted in Beijing in July 2015, and the root was densely covered with hairs
when it was examined in September 2017 (Fig. 1.13b).

1.2.3 Sheepgrass Stem

Sheepgrass stem is upright and cylindrical, with the height of 30–120 cm; it often
has two nodes to five nodes, which is similar to bamboo. Sheepgrass is composed of
internodes and protruding nodes that are often marked in red. The node on the spike
growing on the top of sheepgrass is called the spike internode and is generally the
longest; however, the lower stem nodes get shorter. In sheepgrass stem, the vascular
bundles are regularly arranged in two circles. The sheepgrass stem is especially

Fig. 1.13 (a) Field-planted sheepgrass with the rhizome at full stretch; (b) Potted sheepgrass with
tangled rhizomes
16 G. Liu et al.

prone to producing tillering node(s) underground or close to the ground surface,

with internode compression enlargement, which is the start site of the tillering of
sheepgrass.

1.2.4 Sheepgrass Leaves

The leaf structure of sheepgrass is composed of three parts, namely, blade sheath,
ligule, and blade. The leaf sheath surrounding the leaf base acts like a sheath pro-
tecting the bud and enhancing the stem support. The leaf sheath of sheepgrass is
relatively smooth, and its basal part is fibrous, colored in pale yellow. The ligule is
a membranous protrusion at the junction of the blade and the leaf sheath, which can
prevent moisture, insects, bacteria, and spores from falling into the sheath. The lig-
ule of sheepgrass is relatively smooth with slits on the top. The leaf blade of sheep-
grass is narrow and long, similar to the other members of Poaceae (7–19 cm long
and 0.3–0.6 cm wide), and is flat or curly inward, with thick and hard texture. The
upper surface is rough, while the lower surface is smooth. The leaf blade is usually
gray-green or yellow-green, which is related to the size of waxy matter on the blade
surface. The siliconized cells of leaf epidermis of some sheepgrass resources have
bristles and small thorns produced on the blade edge, with a discernible sense of
touching on the blade surface (Fig. 1.14).

Fig. 1.14 (a) Front blade surface with more wax on the left and less on the right; (b) Rear blade
surface, with less wax on the left and more on the right; (c) The flag leaf is very different
1 Basic Knowledge of Sheepgrass (Leymus chinensis) 17

Fig. 1.15 Tillering and

rhizomatous of sheepgrass

1.2.5 Rhizome of Sheepgrass

The rhizome of sheepgrass looks similar to a bamboo (Fig. 1.15). Rhizome is a

special stem with buds and vegetative organ; it is also a vital nutrient-storing organ
of sheepgrass. The rhizome plays critical roles in the storage and transport of nutri-
ents and moisture, formation of the tillering stem, and resistance to adverse stress.
The rhizome also increases the survival of the population. The rhizome of sheep-
grass is mostly distributed 5–l0 cm under the ground. The underground rhizome can
grow up to 10 m in length, allowing the plant to reach a wider area of soil. Each
node has adventitious roots, which can be used to absorb nutrients and moisture
content from soil. Both the rhizome and the root system of sheepgrass have similar
physiological functions to respond to salt stress, and the rhizome under salt stress is
more effective to absorb sodium ions than the root system. The soluble sugar con-
tent in the overwintering rhizome is closely related to vegetative propagation, which
may promote the reproduction and regrowth of sheepgrass and affect the growth of
the population.

1.2.6 Seed of Sheepgrass

Sheepgrass seed is small and is generally conical and slightly flattened; one end of
it is narrow-pointed, while the other end is smooth. The seed is wrapped with lemma
and palea. The palea has a unique semicylindrical floret axis structure near the base,
connecting the spikelets. When the light is better, the dark brown embryo next to the
rachilla can be seen through the palea. The seed of sheepgrass with palea has very
few or very short awns. The seed is generally 0.4–1 cm long, with the diameter of
Another random document with
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las menos palabras que será
possible las muchas y muy malas
obras que de la fortuna habemos
recebido. Después que por sacar
al fatigado Eugerio de la peligrosa
nave, esperando buena ocasión
para saltar en el batel, de los
marineros fuí estorbado, y
juntamente con el temeroso padre
á mi pesar hube de quedar en
ella, estaba el triste viejo con
tanta angustia, como se puede
esperar de un amoroso padre,
que al fin de su vejez ve en tal
peligro su vida y la de sus
amados hijos. No tenía cuenta
con los golpes que las bravas
ondas daban en la nave, ni con la
furia que los iracundos vientos por
todas partes le combatían, sino
que, mirando el pequeño batel
donde tú, Marcelio, con Alcida y
Clenarda estabas, que á cada
movimiento de las inconstantes
aguas en la mayor profundidad
dellas parescía trastornarse,
cuanto más lo vía de la nave
alejándose, le desapegaba el
corazón de las entrañas. Y
cuando os perdió de vista, estuvo
en peligro de perder la vida. La
nave siguiendo la braveza de la
Fortuna, fué errando por el mar
por espacio de cinco días,
después que nos despartimos; al
cabo de los cuales, al tiempo que
el sol estaba cerca del occaso,
nos vimos cerca de tierra. Con
cuya vista se regocijaron mucho
los marineros, tanto por haber
cobrado la perdida confianza,
como por conoscer la parte donde
iba la nave encaminada. Porque
era la más deleitosa tierra, y más
abundante de todas maneras de
placer, de cuantas el sol con sus
rayos escalienta, tanto que uno
de los marineros sacando de una
arca un rabel, con que solía en la
pesadumbre de los prolijos y
peligrosos viajes deleitarse, se
puso á tañer y cantar ansi:

Soneto.
Recoge á los que aflige el mar
airado,
oh, Valentino, oh,
venturoso suelo
donde jamás se cuaja el
duro hielo
ni de Febo el trabajo
acostumbrado.
Dichoso el que seguro y sin
recelo
de ser en fieras ondas
anegado,
goza de la belleza de tu
prado
y del favor de tu benigno
cielo.
Con más fatiga el mar surca la
nave
 que el labrador cansado tus
barbechos:
¡oh tierra¡, antes que el mar
se ensoberbezca,
Recoge á los perdidos y
deshechos,
para que cuando en Turia
yo me lave
estas malditas aguas
aborrezca.

Por este cantar del marinero

entendimos que la ribera que
íbamos á tomar era del reino de
Valencia, tierra por todas las
partes del mundo celebrada. Pero
en tanto que este canto se dijo, la
nave, impelida de un poderoso
viento, se llegó tanto á la tierra
que si el esquife no nos faltara
pudiéramos saltar en ella. Mas de
lejos por unos pescadores fuímos
devisados, los cuales viendo
nuestras velas perdidas, el árbol
caído á la una parte, las cuerdas
destrozadas y los castillos hechos
pedazos, conoscieron nuestra
necessidad. Por lo cual algunos
dellos, metiéndose en un barco
de los que para su ordinario
ejercicio en la ribera tenían
amarrados, se vinieron para
nosotros, y con grande amor y no
poco trabajo nos sacaron de la
nave á todos los que en ella
veníamos. Fué tanto el gozo que
recebimos, cuanto se puede y
debe imaginar. A los marineros
que en su barco tan
amorosamente y sin ser rogados
nos habían recogido, Eugerio y yo
les dimos las gracias, y hecimos
los ofrescimientos que á tan
singular beneficio se debían. Mas
ellos, como hombres de su
natural piadosos y de entrañas
simples y benignas, no curaban
de nuestros agradescimientos,
antes no queriendo recebirlos,
nos dijo el uno dellos: No nos
agradezcáis, señores, esta obra á
nosotros, sino á la obligación que
tenemos á socorrer necessidades
y al buen ánimo y voluntad que
nos fuerza á tales hechos. Y
tened por cierto que toda hora
que se nos ofresciere semejante
ocasión como ésta haremos lo
mesmo, aunque peligren nuestras
vidas. Porque esta mañana nos
sucedió un caso, que á no haber
hecho otro tal como agora
hecimos, nos pesara después
hasta la muerte. El caso fué que
al despuntar del día salimos de
nuestras chozas con nuestras
redes y ordinarios aparejos para
entrar á pescar, y antes que
llegassemos á la ribera vimos el
cielo escurescido; sentimos el
mar alterado y el viento
embravescido, y dos veces nos
quisimos volver del camino
desconfiados de podernos
encomendar á las peligrosas
ondas en tan malicioso tiempo.
Pero paresció á algunos de
nosotros que era conveniente
llegar á la ribera para ver en qué
pararía la braveza del mar, y para
esperar si tras la rigurosa fortuna
sucedería, como suele, alguna
súbita bonanza. Al tiempo que
llegamos allá vimos un batel
lidiando con las bravas ondas, sin
vela, árbol ni remos, y puesto en
el peligro en que vosotros os
habéis visto. Movidos á
compassión, metimos en el mar
uno de aquellos barcos muy bien
apercebido, y saltando de presto
en él, sin temor de la fortuna,
fuímos hacia el batel que en tal
peligro estaba, y á cabo de poco
rato llegamos á él. Cuando
estuvimos tan cerca dél que
pudimos conoscer los que en él
estaban, vimos una doncella,
cuyo nombre no sabré decirte,
que con lágrimas en los ojos se
dolía, con los brazos abiertos nos
esperaba y con palabras
dolorosas nos decía: Ay
hermanos, ruégoos que me libréis
del peligro de la Fortuna; pero
más os suplico que me saquéis
de poder deste traydor, que
conmigo viene, que contra toda
razón me tiene captiva, y á pura
fuerza quiere maltratar mi
honestidad. Oyendo esto, con
toda la possible diligencia, y no
sin mucho peligro, los sacamos
de su batel, y metidos en nuestro
barco los llevamos á tierra.
Contónos ella la traición que á
ella y una hermana y cuñado suyo
se les había hecho, que seria
larga de contar. Tenémosla en
compañía de nuestras mujeres,
libre de la malicia y
deshonestidad de los dos
marineros que con ella venían, y
á ellos los metimos en una cárcel
de un lugar que está vecino,
donde antes de muchos días
serán debidamente castigados.
Pues habiéndonos acontescido
esto, ¿quién de nosotros dejará
de aventurarse á semejantes
peligros por recobrar los perdidos
y hacer bien á los maltratados?
Cuando Eugerio oyó decir esto al
marinero le dió un salto el
corazón, y pensó si era esta
doncella alguna de sus hijas. Lo
mesmo me passó á mí por el
pensamiento; pero á entrambos
nos consolaba pensar que presto
habíamos de saber si era
verdadera nuestra presunción. En
tanto el pescador nos contó este
sucesso, el barco, movido con la
fuerza de los remos, caminó de
manera que llegamos á poder
desembarcar. Saltaron aquellos
pescadores con los pies
descalzos en el agua, y sobre sus
hombros nos sacaron á la
deseada tierra. Cuando estuvimos
en tierra, conosciendo que
teníamos necessidad de reposo,
uno dellos, que más anciano
parescía, travando á mi padre por
la mano, y haciendo señal á mí y
á los otros que le siguiéssemos,
tomó el camino de su choza, que
no muy lejos estaba, para darnos
en ella el refresco y sossiego
necessario. Siendo llegados allá,
sentimos dentro cantos de
mujeres, y no entráramos allá
antes de oir y entender dende
afuera sus canciones si el trabajo
que llevábamos nos consintiera
detenernos para escucharlas.
Pero Eugerio y yo no vimos la
hora de entrar allá por ver quién
era la doncella que libre de la
tempestad y de las manos del
traidor allí tenían. Entramos en la
casa de improviso, y en vernos
luego dejaron sus cantares las
turbadas mujeres; y eran ellas la
mujer del pescador y dos
hermosas hijas que cantando
suavemente hacían las ñudosas
redes con que los descuidados
peces se cautivan, y en medio
dellas estaba la doncella, que
luego fué conoscida, porque era
mi hermana Clenarda, que está
presente. Lo que en esta ventura
sentimos, y lo que ella sintió,
querría que ella mesma lo dijesse,
porque yo no me atrevo á tan
gran empresa. Allí fueron las
lágrimas, allí los gemidos, allí los
placeres revueltos con las penas,
allí los dulzores mezclados con
las amarguras y allí las obras y
palabras que puede juzgar una
persona de discreción. Al fin de lo
cual mi padre, vuelto á las hijas
del pescador les dijo: Hermosas
doncellas, siendo verdad que yo
vine aquí para descansar de mis
trabajos, no es razón que mi
venida estorbe vuestros regocijos
y canciones, pues ellas solas
serían bastantes para darme
consolación. Essa no te faltará,
dijo el pescador, en tanto que
estuvieres en mi casa: á lo menos
yo procuraré de dártela por las
maneras possibles. Piensa agora
en tomar refresco, que la música
no faltará á su tiempo. Su mujer
en esto nos sacó para comer
algunas viandas, y mientras en
ello estábamos ocupados, la una
de aquellas doncellas, que se
nombraba Nerea, cantó esta
canción:

Canción de Nerea.
En el campo venturoso,
donde con clara corriente
Guadalavïar hermoso,
dejando el suelo abundoso,
da tributo al mar potente,
Galatea desdeñosa,
del dolor que á Lycio daña
iba alegre y bulliciosa
por la ribera arenosa,
que el mar con sus ondas
baña.

Entre la arena cogiendo

conchas y piedras pintadas,
muchos cantares diciendo,
con el son del ronco
estruendo
de las ondas alteradas,
Junto al agua se ponía,
y las ondas aguardaba,
y en verlas llegar huía,
pero á veces no podía
y el blanco pie se mojaba.

Lycio, al cual en sufrimiento

amador ninguno iguala,
suspendió allí su tormento
mientras miraba el contento
de su polida zagala.
Mas cotejando su mal
con el gozo que ella había,
el fatigado zagal
con voz amarga y mortal
desta manera decía:

Nympha hermosa, no te vea

jugar con el mar horrendo,
y aunque más placer te sea,
huye del mar, Galatea,
como estás de Lycio
huyendo.
Deja agora de jugar,
 que me es dolor importuno;
no me hagas más penar,
que en verte cerca del mar
tengo celos de Neptuno.

Causa mi triste cuidado,

que á mi pensamiento crea,
porque ya está averiguado
que si no es tu enamorado
lo será cuando te vea.
Y está cierto, porque Amor
sabe desde que me hirió
que para pena mayor
me falta un competidor
más poderoso que yo.

Deja la seca ribera

do está el agua infructuosa,
guarda que no salga afuera
alguna marina fiera
enroscada y escamosa.
Huye ya, y mira que siento
por ti dolores sobrados,
porque con doble tormento
celos me da tu contento
y tu peligro cuidados.

En verte regocijada
celos me hacen acordar
de Europa Nympha
preciada,
del toro blanco engañada
en la ribera del mar.
Y el ordinario cuidado
hace que piense contino
de aquel desdeñoso alnado
orilla el mar arrastrado,
 visto aquel monstruo
marino.

Mas no veo en tí temor

de congoja y pena tanta;
que bien sé por mi dolor,
que á quien no teme el
Amor,
ningún peligro le espanta.
Guarte, pues, de un gran
cuidado;
que el vengativo Cupido
viéndose menospreciado,
lo que no hace de grado
suele hacerlo de ofendido.

Ven conmigo al bosque

ameno,
y al apacible sombrío
de olorosas flores lleno,
do en el día más sereno
no es enojoso el Estío.
Si el agua te es placentera,
hay allí fuente tan bella,
que para ser la primera
entre todas, sólo espera
que tú te laves en ella.

En aqueste raso suelo

á guardar tu hermosa cara
no basta sombrero, ó velo;
que estando al abierto cielo,
el sol morena te para.
No encuentras dulces
contentos,
sino el espantoso
estruendo,
 con que los bravosos
vientos
con soberbios movimientos
van las aguas revolviendo.

Y tras la fortuna fiera

son las vistas más suaves
ver llegar á la ribera
la destrozada madera
de las anegadas naves.
Ven á la dulce floresta,
do natura no fué escasa,
donde haciendo alegre
fiesta,
la más calurosa siesta
con más deleite se passa.

Huye los soberbios mares,

ven, verás como cantamos
tan deleitosos cantares,
que los más duros pesares
suspendemos y
engañamos.
Y aunque quien passa
dolores,
Amor le fuerza á cantarlos,
yo haré que los pastores
no digan cantos de amores,
porque huelgues de
escucharlos.

Allí por bosques y prados

podrás leer todas horas
en mil robles señalados
los nombres más
celebrados
de las Nymphas y pastoras.
Mas seráte cosa triste
ver tu nombre allí pintado,
en saber que escrita fuiste
por el que siempre tuviste
de tu memoria borrado.

Y aunque mucho estás airada,

no creo yo que te assombre
tanto el verte allí pintada,
como el ver que eres amada
del que allí escribió tu
nombre.
No ser querida y amar
fuera triste desplacer,
más ¿qué tormento ó pesar
te puede, Nympha, causar
ser querida y no querer?

Mas desprecia cuanto quieras

á tu pastor, Galatea,
sólo que en essas riberas
cerca de las ondas fieras
con mis ojos no te vea.
¿Qué passatiempo mejor
orilla el mar puede hallarse
que escuchar el ruiseñor,
coger la olorosa flor
y en clara fuente lavarse?

Pluguiera á Dios que gozaras

de nuestro campo y ribera,
y porque más lo preciaras,
ojala tú lo probaras,
antes que yo lo dijera.
Porque cuanto alabo aquí,
de su crédito le quito,
pues el contentarme á mí,
 bastará para que á tí
no te venga en apetito.

Lycio mucho más le hablara,

y tenía más que hablalle,
si ella no se lo estorbara,
que con desdeñosa cara
al triste dice que calle.
Volvió á sus juegos la fiera,
y á sus llantos el pastor,
y de la misma manera
ella queda en la ribera
y él en su mismo dolor.

El canto de la hermosa doncella y

nuestra cena se acabó á un
mesmo tiempo; la cual fenescida,
preguntamos á Clenarda de lo
que le había sucedido después
que nos departimos, y ella nos
contó la maldad de Bartofano, la
necessidad de Alcida, su prisión y
su cautividad, y en fin, todo lo que
tú muy largamente sabes.
Lloramos amargamente nuestras
desventuras; oídas las cuales,
nos dijo el pescador muchas
palabras de consuelo, y
especialmente nos dijo cómo en
esta parte estaba la sabia Felicia,
cuya sabiduría bastaba á
remediar nuestra desgracia,
dándonos noticia de Alcida y de ti,
que en esto venía á parar nuestro
deseo. Y ansí passando allí
aquella noche lo mejor que
pudimos, luego por la mañana,
dejados allí los marineros que en
la nave con nosotros habían
venido, nos partimos solos los
tres, y por nuestras jornadas
llegamos al templo de Diana,
donde la sapientíssima Felicia
tiene su morada. Vimos su
maravilloso templo, los
ameníssimos jardines, el
sumptuoso palacio, conoscimos la
sabiduría de la prudentísima
dueña y otras cosas que nos han
dado tal admiración, que aun
agora no tenemos aliento para
contallas. Allí vimos las
hermosíssimas Nymphas, que
son ejemplo de castidad; allí
muchos caballeros y damas,
pastores y pastoras, y
particularmente un pastor
nombrado Syreno, al cual todos
tenían en mucha cuenta. A éste y
á los demás la sabia había dado
diversos remedios en sus amores
y necessidades. Mas á nosotros
en la nuestra hasta agora el que
nos ha dado es hacer quedar á
nuestro padre Eugerio en su
compañía y á nosotros
mandarnos venir hacia estas
partes, y que no volviéssemos
hasta hallarnos más contentos. Y
según el gozo que de tu vista
recebimos, me paresce que ya
habrá ocasión para la vuelta,
mayormente dejando allí nuestro
padre solo y desconsolado. Bien
sé que buscarle su Alcida importa
mucho para su descanso: pero ya
que la fortuna en tantos días no
nos ha dado noticia della, será
bien que no le hagamos á nuestro
padre carescer tanto tiempo de
nuestra compañía. Después que
Polydoro dió fin á sus razones,
quedaron todos admirados de tan
tristes desventuras, y Marcelio
después de haber llorado por
Alcida, brevíssimamente contó á
Polydoro y Clenarda lo que
después que no había visto, le
había acontescido. Diana é
Ismenia, cuando acabaron de oir
á Polydoro, desearon llegar más
presto á la casa de Felicia: la una
porque supo cierto que Syreno
estaba allí, y la otra porque,
oyendo tales alabanzas de la
sabia, concibió esperanza de
haber de su mano algún remedio.
Con este deseo que tenían,
aunque fué la intención de Diana
recrearse en aquel deleitoso lugar
algunas horas, mudó de parescer,
estimando más la vista de Syreno
que la lindeza y frescura del
bosque. Y por esso, levantada en
pie, dijo á Tauriso y Berardo:
Gozad, pastores, de la suavidad y
deleite desta ameníssima vereda,
porque el cuidado que tenemos
de ir al templo de Diana no nos
consiente detenernos aquí más.
Harto nos pesa dejar un aposento
tan agradable y una tan buena
compañía; pero somos forzados á
seguir nuestra ventura. ¿Tan
cruda serás pastora, dijo Tauriso,
que tan presto te ausentes de
nuestros ojos y tan poco nos
dejes gozar de tus palabras?
Marcelio entonces dijo á Diana:
Razón los acompaña á estos
pastores, hermosa zagala; razón
es que tan justa demanda se les
conceda: que su fe constante y
amor verdadero merece que les
otorgues un rato de tu
conversación en este apacible
lugar, mayormente habiendo
bastantíssimo tiempo para llegar
al templo antes que el sol
esconda su lumbre. Todos fueron
deste parescer, y por esso Diana
no quiso más contradecirles, sino
que, sentándose donde antes
estaba, mostró querer complacer
en todo á tan principal
ajuntamiento. Ismenia entonces
dijo á Berardo y Tauriso:
Pastores, pues la hermosa Diana
no os niega su vista, no es justo
que vosotros nos neguéis
vuestras canciones. Cantad,
enamorados zagales, pues en ello
mostráis tan señalada destreza y
tan verdadero amor, que por lo
uno sois en todas partes alabados
y con lo otro movéis á piedad los
corazones. Todos sino el de
Diana, dijo Berardo; y comenzó
á llorar, y Diana á sonreír. Lo cual
visto por el pastor, al son de su
zampoña, con lágrimas en sus
ojos, cantó glossando una
canción que dice:

Las tristes lágrimas mías

en piedras hacen señal
y en vos nunca, por mi mal.

Glossa.
Vuestra rara gentileza
no se ofende con serviros,
pues mi mal no os da
tristeza
ni jamás vuestra dureza
dió lugar á mis suspiros.
No fueron con mis porfías
vuestras entrañas mudadas,
aunque veis noches y días
con gran dolor derramadas
las tristes lágrimas mías.

Fuerte es vuestra condición,

que en acabarme porfía,
y más fuerte el corazón,
que viviendo en tal passión
no le mata la agonía.
Que si un rato afloja un mal,
aunque sea de los mayores,
no da pena tan mortal;
mas los continos dolores
en piedras hacen señal.

Amor es un sentimiento
blando, dulce y regalado;
 vos causáis el mal que
siento,
que Amor sólo da tormento
al que vive desamado.
Y ésta es mi pena mortal,
que el Amor, después que
os ví,
como cosa natural,
por mi bien siempre está en
mí,
y en vos nunca, por mi mal.

Contentó mucho á Diana la

canción de Berardo; pero viendo
que en ella hacía más duro su
corazón que las piedras, quiso
volver por su honra, y dijo:
Donosa cosa es, por mi vida,
nombrar dura recogida y tratar de
cruel la que guarda su
honestidad. Ojala, pastor, no
tuviera más tristeza mi alma que
dureza mi corazón. ¡Mas, ay
dolor, que la fortuna me cautivó
con tan celoso marido, que fuí
forzada muchas veces en los
montes y campos ser descortés
con los pastores, por no tener en
mi casa amarga vida! Y con todo
esto el ñudo del matrimonio y la
razón me obligan á buscar el
rústico y mal acondicionado
marido, aunque espere
innumerables trabajos de su
enojosa compañía. A este tiempo,
Tauriso, con la ocasión de las
quejas que Diana daba de su
casamiento, comenzó á tocar su
zampoña y á cantar hablando con
el Amor, y glossando la canción
que dice:

Canción.
La bella mal maridada,
de las más lindas que ví,
si has de tomar amores,
vida no dejes á mí.

Glossa.
Amor, cata que es locura
padescer, que en las
mujeres
de aventajada hermosura
pueda hacer la desventura
más que tú siendo quien
eres.
Porque estando á tu poder
la belleza encomendada,
te deshonras, á mi ver,
en sufrir que venga á ser
la bella mal maridada.

Haces mal, pues se mostró

beldad ser tu amiga entera,
porque siempre al que la
vió,
á causa tuya le dió
el dolor que no le diera.
Y ansí mi constancia y fe
y la pena que está en mí,
por haber visto no fué,