Stem Development, Seeding Rate, and Establishment of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus) for Organic, Grazing-Based Dairies

Stem Development, Seeding Rate, and Establishment of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus) for Organic, Grazing-Based Dairies PDF Author: Sara Hunt
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Three studies applicable to organic management and cultivation of birdsfoot trefoil (BFT, Lotus corniculatus L.) are presented here. The first is a histological analysis of lignification in BFT stems that supports recommendations to harvest BFT at approximately 6 weeks of regrowth, or early bloom. Lignification decreases digestibility and is correlated with high shear force required to break BFT stems. The sixth internodes from the base of 10 BFT and two alfalfa plants were sampled during 15 weeks of midsummer regrowth. The lignified xylary ring reached its maximum radial width by 7.5 weeks of regrowth, and full bloom was reached by 6.5 weeks of regrowth. The second study evaluated establishment of BFT, which competes poorly with weeds and produces low yields during establishment. At an organic, irrigated site in northern Utah the effects of autumn vs. spring seeding, seeding rates of 3, 7 20, and 34 kg pure live seed (PLS) ha-1 and use of a companion crop on 3 years of annual yields and foliar cover of mature stands were determined. First year yields increased linearly with seeding rate (P9́Þ0.05). Use of a companion crop reduced first year yields, and did not reduce weed cover. Autumn seeding of BFT alone, following harvest of a summer crop, is recommended for irrigated production. The final study evaluated BFT establishment on five organic dairy farms in southern Idaho and northern Utah. Participating producers broadcast seeded 4-ha BFT pastures in the fall at a rate of 25 kg PLS ha-1. All farms achieved high BFT density, but only two farms had higher BFT than weed density. These two farms also had high BFT cover the spring following autumn seeding, and their pastures produced 6000 to 7600 kg of dry matter ha-1 by 20 June 2012 and supported grazing for the remainder of the summer. Establishment was enhanced by crop rotation and sprinkler irrigation.

Stem Development, Seeding Rate, and Establishment of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus) for Organic, Grazing-Based Dairies

Stem Development, Seeding Rate, and Establishment of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus) for Organic, Grazing-Based Dairies PDF Author: Sara Hunt
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Three studies applicable to organic management and cultivation of birdsfoot trefoil (BFT, Lotus corniculatus L.) are presented here. The first is a histological analysis of lignification in BFT stems that supports recommendations to harvest BFT at approximately 6 weeks of regrowth, or early bloom. Lignification decreases digestibility and is correlated with high shear force required to break BFT stems. The sixth internodes from the base of 10 BFT and two alfalfa plants were sampled during 15 weeks of midsummer regrowth. The lignified xylary ring reached its maximum radial width by 7.5 weeks of regrowth, and full bloom was reached by 6.5 weeks of regrowth. The second study evaluated establishment of BFT, which competes poorly with weeds and produces low yields during establishment. At an organic, irrigated site in northern Utah the effects of autumn vs. spring seeding, seeding rates of 3, 7 20, and 34 kg pure live seed (PLS) ha-1 and use of a companion crop on 3 years of annual yields and foliar cover of mature stands were determined. First year yields increased linearly with seeding rate (P9́Þ0.05). Use of a companion crop reduced first year yields, and did not reduce weed cover. Autumn seeding of BFT alone, following harvest of a summer crop, is recommended for irrigated production. The final study evaluated BFT establishment on five organic dairy farms in southern Idaho and northern Utah. Participating producers broadcast seeded 4-ha BFT pastures in the fall at a rate of 25 kg PLS ha-1. All farms achieved high BFT density, but only two farms had higher BFT than weed density. These two farms also had high BFT cover the spring following autumn seeding, and their pastures produced 6000 to 7600 kg of dry matter ha-1 by 20 June 2012 and supported grazing for the remainder of the summer. Establishment was enhanced by crop rotation and sprinkler irrigation.

A Study of Factors Influencing the Establishment of Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus Corniculatus L.

A Study of Factors Influencing the Establishment of Birdsfoot Trefoil Lotus Corniculatus L. PDF Author: Rodney Arthur Briggs
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ISBN:
Category : Lotus corniculatus
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Trefoil Production for Pasture and Hay

Trefoil Production for Pasture and Hay PDF Author: United States. Agricultural Research Service. Crops Research Division
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Category : Big trefoil
Languages : en
Pages : 16

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Seedling Vigor in Birdsfoot Trefoil

Seedling Vigor in Birdsfoot Trefoil PDF Author: Richard Marwood Shibles
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ISBN:
Category : Lotus
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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Factors Affecting Establishment, Survival, and Production of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.) and Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.)

Factors Affecting Establishment, Survival, and Production of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.) and Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) PDF Author: Clee Scott Cooper
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ISBN:
Category : Alfalfa
Languages : en
Pages : 202

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Field, greenhouse, growth chamber and laboratory experiments evaluated factors affecting establishment, survival and production of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) Field studies investigated the effects of a barley companion crop, seedling year harvest management and nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization upon stands, survival and subsequent production of legumes. Seedings were made in each of two years. Stands of legumes were not affected by fertilization or harvest management, but decreased with increasing levels of companion crop competition. Death of seedlings occurred early in the establishment period and the degree of loss was similar for both species. Additional losses of plants did not occur during the establishment year. Losses of birdsfoot trefoil plants established with a companion crop occurred during the first winter following seeding. Stand reduction in the seeding year persisted for the duration of the experiment. Companion crops inhibited the growth of surviving seedlings. Growth inhibition was less when barley was clipped periodically than when it was matured to grain. In the absence of a companion crop, growth of seedlings was inhibited more by frequent clipping of thin weed stands than by allowing weeds to mature. Yields of weeds were inversely proportional to density of barley plants. Wild oats was more detrimental to seedling growth and was less readily controlled by clipping than redroot pigweed or pigeon grass. The percentage of solar radiation intercepted by barley varied from 89 in early morning or late evening to 22 at noon. Light intensity was reduced more by barley in early season and less by barley in late season than by wild oats. Yields of mixtures in the year after seeding were reduced as a result of establishment with a companion crop and to a greater degree and for a longer period of time when barley had been allowed to mature. Yield reductions of legumes were compensated for by increased grass yields. Grass grown with birdsfoot trefoil yielded significantly more in early season and significantly less in late season than grass grown with alfalfa. Greenhouse studies evaluated the influenee of soil temperature and phosphorus fertilization upon growth and phosphorus uptake of birdsfoot trefoil and alfalfa. Root growth of both species increased with increasing soil temperatures. Weight of alfalfa roots was twice that of birdsfoot trefoil at all temperatures. Top growth of birdsfoot trefoil increaeed to a greater degree than that of alfalfa with increasing temperature. The greater top growth of birdsfoot trefoil resulted in reduced root-shoot ratios. Birdsfoot trefoil produced less dry matter per cm.2 of leaf area than alfalfa. Root growth of both species increased with increasing applications of P fertilizer. Phosphorus appeared to be more important to growth at low than at high temperatures. Phosphorus and nitrogen uptake by both species increased with increasing soil temperature. Growth chamber studies evaluated the influence of low light intensities and seedling age upon growth of seedlings and distribution of accumulated dry matter. Seedlings gained weight at light intensities of 200 to 800 f.c. With decreasing light intensity, stem elongation occurred at the expense of roots. A smaller percentage of accumulated dry matter went into roots of two-week than in older seedlings. Roots of two-week old seedlings of alfalfa lost weight at 200 f.c. Laboratory studies evaluated oxygen uptake of germinating birdsfoot trefoil and alfalfa seeds. Average oxygen uptake by both species on a per unit weight basis was similar. Alfalfa, due to its greater size, had a greater oxygen uptake on a per plant basis than did birdsfoot trefoil.

Predicting Seed Yield of Birdsfoot Trefoil Clones

Predicting Seed Yield of Birdsfoot Trefoil Clones PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Forage plants
Languages : en
Pages : 28

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Establishment and Early Plant Development of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.) as Affected by Several Factors of Competition

Establishment and Early Plant Development of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.) as Affected by Several Factors of Competition PDF Author: John Elmer Baylor
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ISBN:
Category : Lotus
Languages : en
Pages :

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Birdsfoot Trefoil for Grazing and Harvested Forage

Birdsfoot Trefoil for Grazing and Harvested Forage PDF Author:
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ISBN:
Category : Forage plants
Languages : en
Pages : 20

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The Influence of Some Seed Characteristics and Depth of Sowing on the Germination, Emergence and Early Growth of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.)

The Influence of Some Seed Characteristics and Depth of Sowing on the Germination, Emergence and Early Growth of Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.) PDF Author: Arthur Sheldon Whitney
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ISBN:
Category : Lotus corniculatus
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Agronomic, Genetic and Cytological Investigations on Vigor of Establishment, Growth Form and Other Morphological Characters in Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.).

Agronomic, Genetic and Cytological Investigations on Vigor of Establishment, Growth Form and Other Morphological Characters in Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus Corniculatus L.). PDF Author: Iraj Poostchi
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ISBN:
Category : Lotus corniculatus
Languages : en
Pages : 258

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