Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Hunt, Sara R.
• MacAdam, Jennifer W.
• Griggs, Thomas C.

Titel

Seeding Rate, Oat Companion Crop, and Planting Season Effects on Irrigated Organic Birdsfoot Trefoil Stands in the Mountain West United States

Ist Teil von

• Crop science, 2016-01, Vol.56 (1), p.463-473

Ort / Verlag

The Crop Science Society of America, Inc

Erscheinungsjahr

2016

Link zum Volltext

Quelle

Wiley Online Library - AutoHoldings Journals

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• ABSTRACT The nonbloating perennial legume birdsfoot trefoil (BFT, Lotus corniculatus L.) is well suited for ruminant production on pastures, supporting greater weight gain and milk production than other forages. This study evaluated establishment options available to organic producers on subsequent BFT stands. We applied all combinations of spring vs. autumn planting, broadcast seeding rates of 3, 7, 20, and 34 kg pure live seed (PLS) ha−1, and use of an annual oat (Avena sativa L.) companion crop during establishment. These options were assessed using a split‐split‐split plot experimental design with four replications. Dry matter (DM) production and forage nutritive value under irrigation were assessed for 3 yr, and foliar cover was assessed on mature stands. In the first year after planting, DM production was less at 3 kg PLS ha−1 than at 20 or 34 kg ha−1, greater at 34 than at 7 kg PLS ha−1, and was reduced by a companion crop. Second and third year DM production for all treatments was similar and greater than 6000 kg DM ha−1. In the first year after planting, crude protein concentration was less, while neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber concentrations were greater compared with subsequent years. In the third year after planting, cover of BFT was greater than 70% for all treatments. On the basis of this study, early autumn planting of BFT without a companion crop at rates from 7 to 20 kg PLS ha−1 is recommended for organic establishment of BFT.