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Influence of Seeding Dates and Methods on Establishment of Small‐seeded Legumes 1
Author(s) -
Fribourg Henry A.,
Strand Rodney H.
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/agronj1973.00021962006500050039x
Subject(s) - seeding , agronomy , red clover , trefoil , lotus corniculatus , biology , medicago sativa , irrigation , environmental science
A 2‐year study was conducted at three locations to evaluate the interactions between seeding dates and methods on alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.), red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.), and birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus comiculatus L.) establishment. Each species was seeded 16 to 18 times at each location. At one site, band and broadcast seeding methods and irrigation treatments were used at each date. Stand counts from randomly‐placed permanent quadrats were used to measure seeding success. Seeding date was critical to legume establishment. April to early May seedings were successful at all locations when weeds were chemically controlled. Acceptable stands were established also from seedings made from May to early June and from late July to early August at some locations. Alfalfa was less sensitive to seeding date than red clover or birdsfoot trefoil. Broadcast seeding was equal or superior to band seeding. One month of supplemental irrigation following seeding sometimes resulted in better stands.