Environmental Effect on New Released Genotypes of Graminaceous and Leguminous Forage Perennial Crops
Publication Date
1997
Description
Genotypes of perennial leguminous (alfalfa) and graminaceous (cocksfoot and tall fescue) were evaluated for adaptability in a typical Mediterranean environment (Foggia, southern Italy). The species were field evaluated to detect biomass yield potential under different types of watering. Irrigations were applied considering rainfall and FAO cultural growth coefficient for reintegrating the 75% of the evaporated water from Class A water pan. The forage harvest was applied when the shoots of the varieties reached the 10 and 50% of flowering and heading stage for leguminous and graminaceous, respectively. A split-plot experimental design, with irrigation in the main plot, was adopted. The parameters considered were dry matter, stand density, leaf-stem ratio. The preliminary results evidenced a significant difference among treatments. The species and the varieties show a different adaptability to the weather conditions. Alfalfa had higher biomass production than graminaceous while irrigation appears as the main agronomical factor allowings increase of forage yield in the Mediterranean areas.
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Environmental Effect on New Released Genotypes of Graminaceous and Leguminous Forage Perennial Crops
Genotypes of perennial leguminous (alfalfa) and graminaceous (cocksfoot and tall fescue) were evaluated for adaptability in a typical Mediterranean environment (Foggia, southern Italy). The species were field evaluated to detect biomass yield potential under different types of watering. Irrigations were applied considering rainfall and FAO cultural growth coefficient for reintegrating the 75% of the evaporated water from Class A water pan. The forage harvest was applied when the shoots of the varieties reached the 10 and 50% of flowering and heading stage for leguminous and graminaceous, respectively. A split-plot experimental design, with irrigation in the main plot, was adopted. The parameters considered were dry matter, stand density, leaf-stem ratio. The preliminary results evidenced a significant difference among treatments. The species and the varieties show a different adaptability to the weather conditions. Alfalfa had higher biomass production than graminaceous while irrigation appears as the main agronomical factor allowings increase of forage yield in the Mediterranean areas.
