Publication Date
1993
Location
New Zealand
Description
Different experiments were carried out to study the establishment of grass-legume swards and animal performam;e from the pastures. Grasses were: Digitarla decumbens, Dichantum sp,, Botriocliloa sp,, Panicum maximum, Cllloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon, Cenchrus setigerus and Cenchrus ciliaris; legumes were: Neonotonia wightti, Macroptllium atropurpuretm, Desmodium intortum, Stylosanthes guianensis and Centrosema pubescens. Good establishment were obtained with minimum tillage of harrowing on the grass cover after heavy grazing or harvesting close to the ground, Broadcast sowing at 2-3 kg/ha was carried out. Growth was slow at I plant/m1 but rapid at S-10 plant/m1, In prepared beds the best grass:legume rate was 1:3 by sowing in lines or rows SO cm apart, During establishment, harvest every 8-12 weeks at 1S-20 cm height favoured the legume component, Seed harvesting of grass decreases costs during the establishment. Stocking rate of 1-2 cattle units/ha maintained grass-legume stability and It is possible to obtain S00-600 g/head/day or increases in milk production of I litre/cow/day. Under intensive grazing (10-1S cm) during the dry season, N. wightii produced 40-300 kg/ha of seed, Legume-grass persistence under Cuban conditions is discussed.
Citation
Monzote, Marta and Funes, F, "Establishment and Animal Production based on Tropical Grass-legume Pastures" (1993). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 26.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1993/session59/26)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Establishment and Animal Production based on Tropical Grass-legume Pastures
New Zealand
Different experiments were carried out to study the establishment of grass-legume swards and animal performam;e from the pastures. Grasses were: Digitarla decumbens, Dichantum sp,, Botriocliloa sp,, Panicum maximum, Cllloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon, Cenchrus setigerus and Cenchrus ciliaris; legumes were: Neonotonia wightti, Macroptllium atropurpuretm, Desmodium intortum, Stylosanthes guianensis and Centrosema pubescens. Good establishment were obtained with minimum tillage of harrowing on the grass cover after heavy grazing or harvesting close to the ground, Broadcast sowing at 2-3 kg/ha was carried out. Growth was slow at I plant/m1 but rapid at S-10 plant/m1, In prepared beds the best grass:legume rate was 1:3 by sowing in lines or rows SO cm apart, During establishment, harvest every 8-12 weeks at 1S-20 cm height favoured the legume component, Seed harvesting of grass decreases costs during the establishment. Stocking rate of 1-2 cattle units/ha maintained grass-legume stability and It is possible to obtain S00-600 g/head/day or increases in milk production of I litre/cow/day. Under intensive grazing (10-1S cm) during the dry season, N. wightii produced 40-300 kg/ha of seed, Legume-grass persistence under Cuban conditions is discussed.
