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Effect of Seeding Date on the Growth of Sod‐seeded Lucerne
Author(s) -
Kunelius H. T.,
Campbell A. J.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of agronomy and crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.095
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1439-037X
pISSN - 0931-2250
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-037x.1986.tb00076.x
Subject(s) - seeding , agronomy , biology , medicago sativa , red clover , forage , paraquat , seedling , semis , sowing , biochemistry
Lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.) is a valuable forage legume but it is short lived in many regions and periodic reseeding is necessary to maintain adequate lucerne in swards. Sod‐seeding is a fast, one pass method of renovation but variable seedling establishment of sod‐seeded lucerne has been experienced in the Atlantic Region of Canada. Experiments were conducted in two consecutive years to determine seeding date effects on establishment and growth of sod‐seeded lucerne in timothy ( Phleum pratense L.) dominant swards at two sites. In the first experiment lucerne was sod‐seeded on four dates in swards, band sprayed with paraquat at 0.5 kg/ha −1 , and was compared with sod‐seeded red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.). In the second experiment the effects of four sod‐seeding dates of lucerne and broadcast or band spraying of paraquat in swards were determined. Sod‐seeding lucerne between late April and mid‐June resulted in the best establishment and yields. Yields of sod‐seeded lucerne were usually greater with broadcast than with band applied paraquat. Red clover established more readily and made a greater contribution to total yields than lucerne.