Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the optimal mowing time of Kochia prostrata （L.） Schrad. cv. Nongke No.1. An experiment was designed to statistically assessed the effect of different mowing time （July 28, August 19, September 16） on the yield and quality of ′Nongke No.1′. The main results were shown as follows the growth of ′Nongke No.1′ was slow after the resume growth, then accelerated after the branching stage （in late-May）, and almost ceased at the flowering stage （from mid-August to early-September）; the obtained dry matter yield of ′Nongke No.1′ was 15 045.5 kg/hm² when mowed on August 19, which was higher than that mowed on July 28 and September 16; there was no significant （P>0.05） difference in crude protein content of ′Nongke No.1′ between mowing time of August 19 and July 28, but statistically significant （P<0.05） higher crude protein content was observed in mowing time of August 19 compared to September 16; with the delay of mowing time, the stem-leaf ratio and content of crude fiber, ADF and NDF were increased gradually; among the different parts of the plant, the buds had the highest （24.07%） crude protein content and best quality, followed by leaves and stems; when mowed in mid-August, the ratio of stem to leaf of ′Nongke No.1′ was 0.56, which had no significant （P>0.05） difference with that mowed in late-July, but was significantly （P<0.05） lower than that mowed in mid-September. The combined data suggest that more leaves and buds, higher dry matter yield and better quality can be obtained when ′Nongke No.1′ is mowed during the flowering period from mid-August to early-September.

Key words: Kochia prostrata （L.） Schrad. cv. Nongke No.1, mowing time, nutritional components, yield