Abstract: In view of the actual situation of desert grassland area such as short frost-free period, insufficient water resources and deficient feed and forage supply, a rotation mode of crop and grass was explored in the livestock breeding cooperatives with irrigation and mechanized operation conditions in the northern desert grassland area of Darhan Muminggan Joint Banner in Inner Mongolia. The rotation demonstration of ′alfalfa-grass millet-potato-silage maize′ was carried out by integration of a series of technology, including varieties selection of herbage and economic crop, cultivation in a water and fertilizer integrated system, and timely harvesting. The results showed that this rotation mode increased the yield of herbage and improved the economic benefit of land per unit area. Furthermore, it was also an effective way to improve soil fertility and to obtain good ecological, social and economic benefits, which provided technical support for the structural adjustment and sustainable development of grassland and animal husbandry in this area.

Key words: desert grassland, rotation of crop and grass, herbage