The growth of the lucerne plant after cutting: I. The effects of cutting at different stages of maturity and at different intensities

Abstract

Variation in shoot number, shoot size, and yield of dry matter occurring in the regrowth from lucerne plants cut at different stages of maturity and at different intensities is reported. The main effects of the treatments arose through variation in shoot number and changes in the time at which each shoot commenced extension growth; a linear regression utilizing this information about the population of shoots accounted for nearly all the variation in yield. Less severe, or later, cutting resulted in greater yields of dry matter in a 4 week period of regrowth. Changes in shoot number and shoot size both contributed to the variation in the yield of regrowth. Shoot size was mainly determined by the time at which the shoot resumed extension growth, and once such growth was resumed the shoot growth rate was apparently independent of the cutting treatment applied. The results are discussed in relation to currently held concepts on the role of "reserves" and of residual leaf area in promoting the regrowth of pasture plants. The development of lucerne adapted to grazing management is also considered.

Etudes des transferts d'assimilats entre tiges de luzerne (Medicago sativa L.) par l'utilisation du 14 CO2

“…D'un point de vue morphologique, après une coupe, la repousse est assurée par la croissance de 2 types de bourgeons ( Fig. 1) (Leach, 1968 et 1970 ; Gosse (Gosse et al, 1988 (Caldwell et al, 1984;Cralle et Heichel, 1985), les trèfles blancs et violets (Ryle et al, 1981) (Delrot et Geiger, 1986 (Fig. 3) (Gosse et al, 1988 (Fig.…”

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

“…This was particularly evident after low, infrequent cutting where residual shoot numbers were low and regrowth was predominantly reliant on the rhizome shoot pool. As in many legumes such as Medicago sativa (Leach 1968), Lotus corniculatus (Smith & Nelson 1967), Coroni//a varia (Brann & Jung 1974), and Macropli/um atropurpureus (Jones 1974), most actively growing apices in Malm were readily removed during defoliation, and therefore initial regrowth was highly dependent on the nature of the residual shoot population. Initial shoot growth rates were improved with increasing cutting frequency and/or height because ofthe added regrowth ofan increased but often temporary stubble shoot pool.…”

Influence De La Hauteur Et De La Frequence Des Coupes Sur Le Rendement, Le Peuplement, La Composition Chimique Et Les Reserves Nutritives De La Luzerne

“…Van Riper et Owen (1964), cependant, n'observent aucune diff6rence dans les pourcentages des hydrates de carbone non structuraux emmagasin6s dans les racines de la luzerne r6colt6e ir 5 ou 12,5 cm de hauteur. Smith et Nelson (1967) Leach (1968) ;ll ll I l*5s*s5;>sSsSl t For personal use only.…”