The influence of nitrogen application, seeding rate and methods of mixing of components on mixtures of Trifolium vesiculosum and Lolium multiflora.

Abstract

The interaction between Trifolium vesiculosum cv. Amclo and Lolium multiflorum cv. Midmar in mixtures was measured in an irrigated field trial in terms of dry matter production, crude protein content and crude protein production. Two methods of mixing, namely mixing of the components in the same row and alternate rows of the two species, were compared at two nitrogen levels and three seeding rates of the grass component. The method of mixing and seeding of the grass had little effect on dry matter production. On the other hand, the application of 240 kg N ha -1 increased the dry matter production of the different mixtures significantly, but at the same time changed the botanical composition drastically owing to the suppression of the clover component. The weighted crud protein content of the mixtures were significantly higher where 240 kg N ha -1 was applied owing to a positive response of both the grass and the clover to nitrogen. Generally speaking, crude protein production followed dry matter production closely.

Keywords: botanical composition; botany; clover; competition; crude protein; crude protein content; dry matter production; field trial; grass; grasses; interaction; lolium multiflorum; nitrogen levels; production; protein; protein production; rietondale research station; seeding; south africa; trifolium vesiculosum