Maize as a cover crop for the establishment of perennial pasture legumes in the south‐eastern transvaal

Abstract

In exploratory trials involving the underplanting of the perennial pasture legumes Coronilla varia, Lotus corniculatus and Medicago sativa in maize, the influence of maize density, time of planting of the legume and time of maize removal on legume establishment was assessed. The results indicate that planting between maize rows spaced 900 mm apart is a feasible method of establishing moderately shade‐tolerant legumes in the local environment. Legume establishment was favoured by early planting of the legume and early removal of the maize crop at the silage stage. It is tentatively concluded that a cover crop density of 25 000 to 30 000 maize plants/ha is satisfactory. The trials extended over only two seasons and the results are thus indicative rather than definitive.

Uittreksel

In loodsproewe met die onderplant van meerjarige weidingspeulplante Coronilla varia, Lotus corniculatus en Medicago sativa tussen mielies is die invloed van mielie‐digtheid, tyd van plant van die peulplant en tyd van verwydering van mielies op peulplantvestiging beraam. Die resultate dui daarop dat plant tussen mielierye wat 900 mm van mekaar is, ‘n uitvoerbare metode vir die vestiging van matige skaduverdraagsame peulplante in die plaaslike omgewing is. Peulplant‐vestiging is bevoordeel deur vroee planting van die peulplant en die vroeë verwydering van die mielies by die kuilvoer stadium, ‘n Voorlopige gevolgtrekking is dat ‘n dekgewasdigtheid van 25 000 tot 30 000 mielieplante/ha bevredigend is. Die proewe het net oor twee seisoene gestrek en daarom is die resultate eerder indikatief as definitief.

Additional index words:

• Cover crop density
• Coronilla varia
• Lotus corniculatus
• Medicago sativa