II. Legumes and sub-tropical grasses

Abstract

Seasonal growth patterns (based on DM yields at successive cuts taken over a single 12-month period) are presented for 3 pasture legumes and 3 subtropical grasses on north and south aspects of wet North Island hill country. Setaria (Setaria anceps cv. ‘Narok’) yielded more than paspalum (Paspalum dilatatum) over summer and autumn, but was less frost tolerant. Both these subtropical grasses grew more than perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. ‘Grasslands Nui’) from mid November to mid April, particularly on the north aspect. It is suggested that setaria has a possible role on wet North Island hill country farms as the basis of a “special purpose” pasture. White clover ( Trifolium repens cv. ‘Grasslands Huia’) was considerably superior to lotus (Lotus pedunculatus) on the south aspect, but on the north aspect lotus cv. ‘Grasslands Maku’ was superior during winter and early spring, and was only marginally inferior over the rest of the year. Depression of growth on the south aspect was greater in setaria and lotus than in paspalum and white clover.