Productivity and stability of various Grass‐legume mixtures with different intensities of defoliation and levels of nitrogen fertilisation

Abstract

Three trials were established at Cedara under dryland conditions to determine the production, persistence and value of Trifolium repens cv. Ladino, Trifolium pratense cv. Kenland red and Desmodium uncinatum cv. Silverleaf. These legumes were row‐planted into Pennisetum clandestinum (kikuyu); Cynodon nlemfuensis (Stargrass) and Cynodon dactylon hybrid (Coastcross II) swards. The kikuyu was grazed while Stargrass and Coastcross II were mown. Results and observations showed that Stargrass was the least aggressive and kikuyu the most aggressive of the grass species. The only legume to survive and show promise as a companion legume was Kenland red clover. Furthermore, under grazing the unpalatability of Kenland, relative to kikuyu, at the late flowering and seed setting stage could prove a useful management tool in maintaining the legume in kikuyu. Silverleaf desmodium was adversely affected by the severe winters and failed to compete with a creeping grass. Ladino clover was not suited to the dry conditions on a hot, northerly slope when grown with a creeping grass.

Uittreksel

Drie eksperimentele aanplantitigs is op Cedara gedoen om die produksiepotensiaal, langklewendheid en waarde van drie peulgewasse, nl. Trifolium repens cv. Ladino, Trifolium pratense cv. Kenland red en Desmodium uncinatum cv. Silervleaf onder droëland‐toestande te bepaal. Die peulgewasse is in rye ingeplant in Pennisetum clandestinum (kikoejoe), Cynodon nlemfuensis (stêrgras) en Cynodon dactylon (Coastcross II) weidings. Die kikoejoe weiding is deur beweiding en die stergras en Coastcross II weidings deur h snymasjien ontblaar. Resultate en waarnemings het getoon dat stergras die minste en kikoejoe die mees aggressiewe van die drie spesies was. Die enigste peulgewas wat homself kon handhaaf en belowend lyk vir gras/peulgewas weidings, is Kenland rooiklawer. Onder beweiding was Kenland in die laat‐blom en saadstadium minder aanvaarbaar as kikoejoe, ‘n waardevolle aspek in die bestuur van gemengde weidings waar die klawer in die kikoejoe weiding behou wil word. Silverleaf‐desmodium is ongunstig beinvloed deur die strawwe winters en kon nie met die sooi‐vormende grasse kompeteer nie. Ladino‐klawer het nie gunstig gereageer nie onder droeland‐toestande op warm, noordfronthellings waar dit in kompetisie met ‘n kruipende gras moes groei.

Notes

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