Production and regrowth characteristics ofLotus pedunculatusCav. cv. ‘Grasslands Maku’

Abstract

Herbage production of Lotus pedunculatus cv. 'Grasslands Maku' was measured for 6 cutting regimes and regrowth was characterised in terms of dry matter accumulation patterns, shoot densities, and leafarea indices. Regrowth was consistently slow for the first 2-3 weeks after cutting. Production increases were therefore recorded where regrowth intervals were extended and higher growth rates were allowed to be expressed. Higher cutting improved shoot regrowth, but greater dry matter losses from the death of stubble and the disappearance of dead material resulted in Iittle, if any, improvement in net productivity. With lower andlor less frequent cutting, canopy growth was dominated by rhizome shoots and the amount of stubble shoot, stubble and dead material within the canopy declined. Rhizome shoots were the major source ofpotential shoot production; however, the full realisation of this potential through the manipulation of defoliation strategies was difficult. The implications of these regrowth patterns are discussed in terms of more suitable regrowth characteristics that may be necessary for any future improvement in the production performance of L. pedunculatus within mixed swards.

Evaluation of aluminium‐tolerant white clover(Trifolium repens)selections on East Otago upland soils

“…On these acid soils white clover wilted in dry conditions, suggesting that clover roots were restricted to the surface by the soil acidity (Lowther 1980). Although Lotus can be intensively grazed and remain persistent when edaphic conditions limit growth of companion species (Scott & Mills 1981;Sheath 1981), it is vulnerable to frequent and/or severe grazing if competition from companion plants is increased (Sheath 1980). White clover, on the other hand, shows good tolerance of severe grazing and inter-species competition, but is less tolerant of acid soils than Lotus.…”