Presenter Information

W D. Pitman, University of Florida

Publication Date

1989

Location

Nice France

Description

Evaluations of persistence of tropical legume accessions in single-row plantings in bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum) pastures at Ona, Florida (27° 26' N latitude) have identified the perennial Vigna species, V. adenantha and V. parkeri cv. Shaw creeping vigna, as adapted plants with potential for pasture use (Pitman and Kretschmer, 1984; Pitman et al., 1988). Both of these species flower indeterminately and in response to decreas­ing day length. Thus, only small quantities of seed have been obtained each year prior to defoliation of plants by frost. Eval­uation of V. adenantha in small pastures has been facilitated by the rapid stand establishment of this viney legume. Initial plant populations as low as 0.1 plants/m2 have resulted in excellent stands in two growing seasons (Pitman and Singer, 1985). The less-aggressive, prostrate growth of Shaw has not resulted in such rapid stand establishment. Initial populations of 0.4 plants/m2 were considerably less than optimum (Pitman and Singer, 1985). Thus, limited seed supplies were a more severe constraint to evaluations of Shaw than of V. adenantha prior to the recent commercial availability of Shaw seed. Seed pro­duction limitations are not anticipated to be major constraints to use of either of these species in pastures at this location since both species are strong perennials and some seed is produced each year prior to frost. Thus, response to grazing by these two legume species as major pasture components was evaluated.

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Response of Perennial Vigna Species to Grazing on a Subtropical Spodosol

Nice France

Evaluations of persistence of tropical legume accessions in single-row plantings in bahiagrass ( Paspalum notatum) pastures at Ona, Florida (27° 26' N latitude) have identified the perennial Vigna species, V. adenantha and V. parkeri cv. Shaw creeping vigna, as adapted plants with potential for pasture use (Pitman and Kretschmer, 1984; Pitman et al., 1988). Both of these species flower indeterminately and in response to decreas­ing day length. Thus, only small quantities of seed have been obtained each year prior to defoliation of plants by frost. Eval­uation of V. adenantha in small pastures has been facilitated by the rapid stand establishment of this viney legume. Initial plant populations as low as 0.1 plants/m2 have resulted in excellent stands in two growing seasons (Pitman and Singer, 1985). The less-aggressive, prostrate growth of Shaw has not resulted in such rapid stand establishment. Initial populations of 0.4 plants/m2 were considerably less than optimum (Pitman and Singer, 1985). Thus, limited seed supplies were a more severe constraint to evaluations of Shaw than of V. adenantha prior to the recent commercial availability of Shaw seed. Seed pro­duction limitations are not anticipated to be major constraints to use of either of these species in pastures at this location since both species are strong perennials and some seed is produced each year prior to frost. Thus, response to grazing by these two legume species as major pasture components was evaluated.