Publication Date
1985
Description
Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus; BFf) cultivars, including the recently released 'Noreen', have not been adequately evaluated for their response to a diversity of harvest managements. Our objective was to determine the effect of three harvest schedules on forage yield, forage quality, and stand persistence of BFf cultivars and an adapted cultivar of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). 'Empire', 'Viking', 'Maitland', 'Carroll', 'Leo', and Noreen BFf and 'Ramsey' alfalfa were established in monocultures and in binary timothy mixtures (Phleum pratense). Stockpile (two harvests), recommended hay (three harvests), and simulated pasture (four harvests) schedules were applied for 3 years. Noreen was among the highest yielding BFf cultivars for all harvest schedules in both monoculture and in timothy mixtures. It also was more persistent than other BFf cultivars in monoculture, and its yield and persistence in the pasture schedule were similar to alfalfa in both cultures. A cultivar X harvest schedule interaction occurred for long-term yield because Noreen, Leo, and Carroll yields were greater in stockpile than in hay or pasture schedules while yields of the other cultivars did not consistently differ among harvest schedules. Forage quality of BFf cultivars did not consistently differ, and it was greater for the pasture than for the stockpile schedule. Cultivars of BFf that have adaptability to diverse harvest schedules can be developed, but all cultivars do not respond the same to diverse defoliation.
Citation
Sheaffer, C C. and Marten, G C., "Influence of Diverse Harvest Schedules on Evaluation of Birdsfoot trefoil Cultivar Compared to Alfalfa" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 34.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session14/34
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Influence of Diverse Harvest Schedules on Evaluation of Birdsfoot trefoil Cultivar Compared to Alfalfa
Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus; BFf) cultivars, including the recently released 'Noreen', have not been adequately evaluated for their response to a diversity of harvest managements. Our objective was to determine the effect of three harvest schedules on forage yield, forage quality, and stand persistence of BFf cultivars and an adapted cultivar of alfalfa (Medicago sativa). 'Empire', 'Viking', 'Maitland', 'Carroll', 'Leo', and Noreen BFf and 'Ramsey' alfalfa were established in monocultures and in binary timothy mixtures (Phleum pratense). Stockpile (two harvests), recommended hay (three harvests), and simulated pasture (four harvests) schedules were applied for 3 years. Noreen was among the highest yielding BFf cultivars for all harvest schedules in both monoculture and in timothy mixtures. It also was more persistent than other BFf cultivars in monoculture, and its yield and persistence in the pasture schedule were similar to alfalfa in both cultures. A cultivar X harvest schedule interaction occurred for long-term yield because Noreen, Leo, and Carroll yields were greater in stockpile than in hay or pasture schedules while yields of the other cultivars did not consistently differ among harvest schedules. Forage quality of BFf cultivars did not consistently differ, and it was greater for the pasture than for the stockpile schedule. Cultivars of BFf that have adaptability to diverse harvest schedules can be developed, but all cultivars do not respond the same to diverse defoliation.
