Publication Date

1997

Description

This study was conducted to understand how plant density (17, 61 and 89 plants m-2) and row spacing (30 and 90 cm) affect plant development and the consequences on potential seed yield (PSY) and agricultural realized seed potential (ARSP) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in south Brazil. Both variables were not affected by row spacing but were negatively correlated to plant population. This was a consequence of a higher allocation of assimilates to reproductive structures at low plant competition, denoted by a positive correlation between these two variables and reproductive parts growth rate. Despite the benefits of the low plant population on the PSY, uncontrolled factors limited LAI development, and consequently vegetative and reproductive plant growth periods, affecting ARSP. The phyllochron was not affected and leaf duration limited LAI probably due to high relative humidity and temperature.

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Alfalfa Seeding Patterns and Their Relations with Vegetative and Reproductive Development

This study was conducted to understand how plant density (17, 61 and 89 plants m-2) and row spacing (30 and 90 cm) affect plant development and the consequences on potential seed yield (PSY) and agricultural realized seed potential (ARSP) of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in south Brazil. Both variables were not affected by row spacing but were negatively correlated to plant population. This was a consequence of a higher allocation of assimilates to reproductive structures at low plant competition, denoted by a positive correlation between these two variables and reproductive parts growth rate. Despite the benefits of the low plant population on the PSY, uncontrolled factors limited LAI development, and consequently vegetative and reproductive plant growth periods, affecting ARSP. The phyllochron was not affected and leaf duration limited LAI probably due to high relative humidity and temperature.