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Management Effects on Persistence and Productivity of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) 1
Author(s) -
Taylor T. H.,
Templeton W. C.,
Wyles J. W.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1973.00021962006500040035x
Subject(s) - lotus corniculatus , trefoil , poa pratensis , ecotype , agronomy , biology , productivity , botany , poaceae , economics , macroeconomics
One of the deterrents to the use of birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus L.) is the maintenance of acceptable stands after establishment. The principal objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that birdsfoot trefoil stands may be maintained through natural reseeding. Other objectives were aimed at evaluating varieties and determining the quality and quantity of herbage produced under different systems of management. Birdsfoot trefoil seed, represented by ‘Dawn,’ ‘Viking,’ and a Kentucky ecotype, were drilled into an old Kentucky bluegrass ( Poa pratensis L.) sod in 1967, and the plantings were observed through the 1972 growing season. The second herbage crop of the natural‐reseeding plots was permitted to set seed in 1969 and 1970, but not in 1971 or 1972. Those plots had excellent trefoil stands at the end of 5 years, in contrast to plots that were prevented from reseeding (approximately 100 plants/m 2 versus 20/m 2 , respectively). The hypothesis that good stands of trefoil may be maintained through natural reseeding was accepted. Losses in yields during the 2 years that reseeding was permitted were recovered during the following 2 years. Herbage produced during the reseeding process was of acceptable quality and could be especially important as pasturage for certain classes of livestock in midsummer. The ecotype was superior to Dawn and Viking in yield and persistence.