EFFECTS OF CUTTING TREATMENTS ON LADINO CLOVER GROWN ALONE AND IN MIXTURE WITH GRASSES: I. PRODUCTIVITY AND BOTANICAL COMPOSITION OF FORAGE

Ladino clover, grown alone and in mixture with timothy and smooth bromegrass, was cut two, four and six times per season to a height of [Formula: see text] and 3 inches. Forage yields were collected in 1955 and 1956 from a seeding made in 1954 at the Experimental Farm, Lennoxville, Quebec.Ladino clover yielded more clover when grown alone than when associated with a grass. The mixtures did not differ in clover yields. In the grass fraction, timothy outyielded bromegrass in 1955 only. Mixtures produced more total forage than Ladino clover alone. Cutting to [Formula: see text] inches gave higher fraction and total yields during both years than cutting to 3 inches, except in the grass fraction in 1956. The mixtures yielded more clover but much less grass and total production when cut four times than when cut twice. The lowest yields occurred with six cuttings. With Ladino clover alone, increased frequency of cutting depressed yields. The mixed swards contained the most clover when cut four times to [Formula: see text] inches and the least when cut twice to 3 inches.