Effect of cutting frequency on the yield and quality of legumes and grasses under irrigation.

Abstract

Reports the results of an investigation into the production and quality patterns of a wide range of apparently promising legume and grass species and cultivars under a range of defoliation frequencies; Four pasture legumes and seven grasses were subjected to a range of cutting frequencies during the 1980/81 season. A wide range of responses emerged, judged by both the dry matter and TDN yield responses of the different species. Whereas two cultivars of white clover and Ruanui ryegrass were most productive with frequent harvesting (every 2 to 4 weeks), kikuyu and Sirocco Phalaris responded well to a long interharvest interval (8 to 10 weeks). A number of pasture types, including lucerne, Currie cocksfoot, K31 fescue and Ariki ryegrass produced well at intermediate harvesting frequencies (6-weekly) while in yet others (Kenland red clover and Seedmaster Phalaris) yield was not materially different over a wide range of cutting intervals in the range 6 to 10 weeks.

Keywords: Clover; Cutting frequency; cutting interval; dactylis glomerata; Defoliation; dry matter; fescue; festuca arundinacea; Grasses; Harvesting; Irrigation; Kikuyu; Legume quality; Legume yield; Legumes; lolium perenne; Lucerne; medicago sativa; pasture; pennisetum clandestinum; phalaris aquatica; red clover; ryegrass; south africa; stellenbosch; Temperate grasses; trifolium pratense; trifolium repens; welgevallen experimental station; white clover

Journal of the Grassland Society of Southern Africa.