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Cutting Management of Sericea Lespedeza for Forage and Seed 1
Author(s) -
Hoveland C. S.,
Anthony W. B.
Publication year - 1974
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/agronj1974.00021962006600020002x
Subject(s) - forage , lespedeza , agronomy , pasture , biology , hay , grazing , dry matter , mathematics
Sericea lespedeza ( Lespedeza cuneata (Dumont) G. Don.) is being utilized for pasture to a greater extent than in previous years in the southeastern United States, yet information is lacking on the response of this species to frequent and close defoliation. ‘Serala’ sericea was harvested under various management systems in central Alabama for 3 years to determine the effect on forage yield and quality, seed yield, persistence, and root reserves. Harvesting was begun on April 21 each year and terminated in June, August, or October. Forage yields were highest, over 9,000 kg/ha, when sericea was cut at 9‐week intervals until August or October. Cutting at 6‐week intervals reduced forage yields 41% and 53%, respectively. Clipping at a 4‐cm stubble height reduced forage yields below that of a 10‐cm stubble for the 3 or 6‐week cutting intervals, but had no effect at the 9‐week interval. Seed yields were higher, over 600 kg/ha, when one hay harvest was removed to leave a 10‐cm stubble than when cut more frequently. Seed production was responsive to stubble height of forage cut early in the season. Frequent cutting and a short stubble height reduced new shoot development and root reserves but did not affect stands. Digestible dry matter (DDM) of forage was similar for a given treatment throughout the growing season. DDM was slightly lower for forage when cut at 9‐week intervals than at 3 or 6‐week intervals but was unaffected by stubble height.