Plant relations in mixtures of Trifolium subterraneum cv. Midmar: II. Yield advantage as reflected in the Land Equivalent Ratio.

Abstract

Land Equivalent Ratios (LER) were calculated for mixtures of Trifolium subterraneum and Lolium multiflorum in terms of dry matter production and crude protein production. This ratio denotes the yield advantage, if any, of a specific mixture against the pure stands of the different components. The mixture receiving 240 kg N ha -1 showed an advantage of 3% and 10%, respectively, for dry matter production and crude protein production. Heavy defoliation (50 mm) increased the partial LER value of the grass component and consequently the combined LER. A grass seeding rate of 10-20 kg ha -1 ensured a well-balanced mixture. The results signify the strong competitive ability of T. subterraneum in a mixture with L. multiflorum, especially with light defoliation, low nitrogen and low grass seeding rates.

Keywords: competition; competitive ability; crude protein; defoliation; dry matter production; grasses; intercropping; land equivalent ratio; lolium multiflorum; nitrogen; production; protein; protein production; seeding; south africa; trifolium subterraneum; yield