Presenter Information

H Acuna, Quilamapu Research Centre

Publication Date

1997

Description

The objectives of this study were to describe the growth curves and the herbage quality changes of birdfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) during spring and early summer in the dryland areas of The Andes foothills. The DM accumulation, from different dates, was fitted to a logistic function, y = A/ 1 + b e-ax. The derivative of that function, dy/dx = Abaeax /(1 + be-ax )2 , allowed determination of the rates of growth. The curves show that the maximum accumulation was reached around mid December and the highest rates of growth were registered between 15 September and 15 November ( 100 kg ha-1 day-1, approximately) when the regrowth started before October. After that the maximum accumulation was lower and it was reached later, in summer. Crude protein, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in DM decreased and acid detergent fibre content increased when the number of days after regrowth initiation increased. To conclude, different calendars of utilisation can be derived from the curves, according to the requirements of animal production systems.

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Growth Curves and Herbage Quality of Birdfoot Trefoil in Dryland Areas of the Andes Foothills

The objectives of this study were to describe the growth curves and the herbage quality changes of birdfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) during spring and early summer in the dryland areas of The Andes foothills. The DM accumulation, from different dates, was fitted to a logistic function, y = A/ 1 + b e-ax. The derivative of that function, dy/dx = Abaeax /(1 + be-ax )2 , allowed determination of the rates of growth. The curves show that the maximum accumulation was reached around mid December and the highest rates of growth were registered between 15 September and 15 November ( 100 kg ha-1 day-1, approximately) when the regrowth started before October. After that the maximum accumulation was lower and it was reached later, in summer. Crude protein, P, K, Ca and Mg concentration in DM decreased and acid detergent fibre content increased when the number of days after regrowth initiation increased. To conclude, different calendars of utilisation can be derived from the curves, according to the requirements of animal production systems.