scholarly journals Developmental changes in shoot N dynamics of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in relation to leaf growth dynamics as a function of plant density and hierarchical position within the canopy

2005 ◽  
Vol 56 (415) ◽  
pp. 1437-1437 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Lemaire ◽  
J-C. Avice ◽  
T-H. Kim ◽  
A. Ourry
1991 ◽  
Vol 71 (2) ◽  
pp. 445-452 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michio Suzuki

Iroquois alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) was seeded every spring from 1978 to 1988, and the established stands were maintained until the fall of 1988. Agronomic, morphological and chemical characteristics of the stands were compared among different age groups. A drastic reduction of alfalfa population occurred in the seeding year and during the first winter. There were about 40 plants m−2 in the 2nd yr which gradually decreased to 25 plants m−2 in the 8th yr, and between 12 and 24 plants m−2 in the 10th yr. There were more grass weeds in older stands. Total dry matter yield of forage, including weeds, did not decrease significantly with age of alfalfa stand Alfalfa yield, however, decreased with age, and the reduction in older stands was more evident in cut 1 than cut 2. There was little or no difference in cold hardiness among different stand ages in postseeding years. Root development pattern changed from vertical extension in the seeding year to lateral development of branched roots in postseeding years. Shoot number, crown diameter, crown decay taproot diameter, root depth, and number and spread of branched roots were associated with aging. Concentrations of total nonstructural carbohydrates (TNC) in the crown and roots decreased slightly with age. In the root, concentrations of K, Ca, B, and Fe increased, and Ca was most closely associated with age. No significant association of P, Mg, S, Mn, Cu, or Zn with age was found. Concentrations of minerals in the crown did not change with age, except B which increased slightly. Key words: Medicago sativa L., persistence, longevity, plant density, yield, minerals


1968 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 27 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Daday

This study examines the relationships between creeping-rootedness, plant diameters, and persistency in lucerne. Highly significant positive genetic correlations were found between all three plant characters among families under continuous grazing. The investigations disclosed several trends in genetic and environmental correlations, the significance of which is discussed. The heritabilities for the proportion I of creeping plants (0.41), plant diameter (0.32–0.45), and survival (0.23–0.46) were all high, indicating that response to selection is possible. The results showed that plant density decreased under continuous grazing; 66% of the creeping-rooted plants but only 8% of Hunter River plants survived after 17 months of continuous grazing.


Agronomy ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (7) ◽  
pp. 124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivianne Burnett ◽  
Jeff Hirth ◽  
Kym Butler ◽  
Meredith Mitchell ◽  
Steve Clark ◽  
...  

Lucerne (alfalfa; Medicago sativa L.) is the key forage for grazing in dryland temperate regions around the world. While rotational grazing of lucerne is recommended, in southern Australia the intervals between grazing events are often chosen in an opportunistic manner, to meet livestock production targets and utilise excessive spring and summer growth. To assess whether the persistence of lucerne is sensitive to variations in rotational grazing management practice, we report on an experiment with four sheep grazing treatments that was conducted for 2.5 years, including three summers, in southern New South Wales. The grazing management treatments were a crash-grazing control, frequent grazing, feed-based rotational grazing and time-based rotational grazing, replicated four times. The number of grazing events, percentage of time under grazing, lucerne top dry matter (DM) at the beginning and end of grazing periods and plant density were measured. The results relating to number of grazing events, percentage of time grazing and DM removed during grazing indicated that four grazing practices had been achieved. The treatments all had significant periods of rest for at least 73% of time and were empirically different in their approach but resulted in similar grazing pressures, in terms of overall pasture removed during grazing. Nevertheless, there was little difference in lucerne densities between grazing treatments over the life of the experiment. We conclude that there is flexibility in the rotational management of grazed lucerne provided adequate rest periods are part of the management program.


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (4) ◽  
pp. 895-900 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. B. IRVINE ◽  
P. G. JEFFERSON

Ten alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. and M. falcata L.) cultivars were grown in 30- and 90-cm row spacings on a dryland site at Swift Current, Saskatchewan. From 1979 to 1981 there was a significant cultivar × spacing interaction on yield at every harvest except the second cutting in 1981. The M. falcata cultivars, Anik and Sc MF 3713, were better able to exploit the lower plant density at the 90-cm spacing than M. sativa cultivars, Thor and Banner. Yields of Anik and Sc Mf 3713 increased with 90-cm compared to 30-cm spacing, while Thor and Banner decreased. The creeping rooted cultivars Rambler and Rangelander did not differ from Anik or Sc Mf 3713 in yield response to increased row spacing. This suggests that the observed cultivar × spacing interaction was due to morphological and/or physiological traits associated with the M. falcata cultivars, other than the creeping rooted habit.Key words: Creeping rooted, drought tolerance, WUE


Author(s):  
Francisco Gavi Reyes ◽  
César Botello-Aguillón ◽  
Leonardo Tijerina-Chávez ◽  
Arturo Galvis-Spíndola ◽  
Rodrigo Roblero-Hidalgo

E Objetivo: Desarrollar un procedimiento para estimar biomasa con imágenes digitales captadas desde un dron y modelación 3D (ID-Dron-3D) aplicable en alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) y avena forrajera (Avena sativa L.). Diseño/metodología/aproximación: Con una cámara digital acoplada al dron se obtuvieron imágenes antes de la cosecha de los cultivos, que fueron procesadas con software para luego estimar volumen de biomasa. En cada cultivo se midió altura de la planta y área cosechada, volumen aparente y real de biomasa, y peso de biomasa fresca y seca. Resultados: Con base en el análisis de regresión se obtuvieron modelos lineales a una p<0.05 para predecir: biomasa fresca en avena (R2=0.70) y alfalfa (R2 =0.47); y biomasa seca en avena (R2=0.78) y en alfalfa (R2=0.31) mediante ID-Dron-3D. Limitaciones del estudio/implicaciones: Considerando las R2 de los modelos obtenidos, los resultados en la avena forrajera fueron mejores, respecto a los detectados en alfalfa, lo cual se puede deber a la mayor variabilidad de la cobertura vegetal, ya que, en algunas unidades de muestreo, las plantas de alfalfa no cubrían completamente el suelo. Hallazgos/conclusiones: El rendimiento de biomasa fresca y seca de ambos cultivos se correlacionó significativamente con su respectivo volumen aparente estimado con imágenes digitales tomadas desde un dron y su procesamiento 3D (ID-Dron-3D).


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