The Effect of Cutting Treatments on Birdsfoot Trefoil¹

Influence Du Stade De Croissance Sur Le Rendement, La Composition Chimique Et Les Réserves Nutritives Du Lotier Corniculé

“…Duell et Gausman (1951), au New-Jersey ont obtenu le plus haut rendement en matidre sdche au stade 10% en fleurs, Pierre et Jackobs (1953) en Illinois au stade pleine floraison, Smith (1964) . …”

Leaf area, dry matter production, and carbohydrate reserve levels of empire birdsfoot trefoil, Lotus corniculatus L., as influenced by cutting height

“…The results showed an immediate yield advantage for harvesting the additional leaf area rather than leaving it in the field to aid in regrowth. Detrimental carry-over effects of severe defoliation which reduced yields in subsequent years have been reported by Pierre and Jackobs (1953) and Smith and Nelson (I967). The latter authors attributed these effects to decreased root weights and reduction in stand.…”

“…The data suggest that the more upright European types of trefoil respond to harvesting managements more similarily to alfalfa than to Bnpire in that increased residual stubble and leaf area remaining after ' • defoliation may significantly increase yields as defoliation frequencies increase to six or more times per season (Pierre and Jackobs, 1953;Duell and Gausman, 1952;Wall, 1957;Davis and Bell, 1958;Ridgman, I96O;Bryant and Blaser, 19^3;Smith and Nelson, I967)* IVhether the basis for the differences in response of the two types of trefoil is physiological, morphological, or a combination of both is not (J.ear. The regrowth response of alfalfa has been generally attributed to its dependence upon food reserves and the origin of regrowth buds being in the crown.…”

“…Several workers have conducted experiments involving height and frequency of defoliation on trefoil in pure stands or in combination with other species in an attempt to determine management effect upon yield and stand survival, Pierre and Jackobs (1953) conducted cutting treatment studies on an erect-type Italian strain and a New York strain of Bipire described as semiprostrate. They reported higher yields during the first year of cutting from the plots cut at a one-inch height over those cut at the four-inch height but ob'cained a better response from the four-inch treatment the second year.…”

“…Trefoil appears to persist better than alfalfa under conditions of frequent defoliation provided some stubble remains (Pierre and Jackobs, 1953;Duell and Gausman, 1957;Beardsley and Av.derson, 19^0;Smith and Nelson, 19^7).…”