Publication Date
1989
Description
Annual medics (Medicago spp.) were accidentally introduced in Chile and to date have been reported six naturalized species in the Mediterranean zone: M. polymorpha, M. arabica, M. minima, M. orbicularis, M. turbinata and M. Lupulina, the first two being the most abundant. M. polymorpha is found over a wide range of bioclimatic
conditions, ranging from the arid Mediterranean zone (30° S), with 130 mm mean annual rainfall and neutral to alkaline soils, to the humid Mediterranean zone (38° S), with 1300 mm of precipitation and moderately acid soils. M. arabica is often found growing together with M. polymorpha in the Interior and Coastal dryland of the subhumid, humid and perhumid Mediterranean zone (Del Pozo et al., 1988a). In Australia, the use of annual medics and subterranean clovers in rotation with cereal crops, called ley farming system, has improved soil fertility, and increased cereal yields and animal production in Mediterranean areas (Puckridge and French, 1983). Accordingly, the legume-cereal rotation seems to be great potential benefit for a large and marginal region, the Interior dryland of Chile. In this area the traditional rotational system of wheat and natural pasture, has been practiced for a long time and productivity is very low. This paper shows the adaptation of the naturalized M. polymorpha to the environment of the Interior dryland in the subhumid Mediterranean zone, and to a medic-wheat rotation.
Citation
Poso, A Del; Ovalle, C; Avendano, J; and Canto, P Del, "Adaptation of Medicago polymorphia to the Subhumid Mediterranean Zone of Chile" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 24.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session13b/24
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Adaptation of Medicago polymorphia to the Subhumid Mediterranean Zone of Chile
Annual medics (Medicago spp.) were accidentally introduced in Chile and to date have been reported six naturalized species in the Mediterranean zone: M. polymorpha, M. arabica, M. minima, M. orbicularis, M. turbinata and M. Lupulina, the first two being the most abundant. M. polymorpha is found over a wide range of bioclimatic
conditions, ranging from the arid Mediterranean zone (30° S), with 130 mm mean annual rainfall and neutral to alkaline soils, to the humid Mediterranean zone (38° S), with 1300 mm of precipitation and moderately acid soils. M. arabica is often found growing together with M. polymorpha in the Interior and Coastal dryland of the subhumid, humid and perhumid Mediterranean zone (Del Pozo et al., 1988a). In Australia, the use of annual medics and subterranean clovers in rotation with cereal crops, called ley farming system, has improved soil fertility, and increased cereal yields and animal production in Mediterranean areas (Puckridge and French, 1983). Accordingly, the legume-cereal rotation seems to be great potential benefit for a large and marginal region, the Interior dryland of Chile. In this area the traditional rotational system of wheat and natural pasture, has been practiced for a long time and productivity is very low. This paper shows the adaptation of the naturalized M. polymorpha to the environment of the Interior dryland in the subhumid Mediterranean zone, and to a medic-wheat rotation.
