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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Corvallis, Oregon » Forage Seed and Cereal Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #67042

Title: SOWING DATE AND DEFOLIATION TIMING ON SEED PRODUCTION OF HAIRY VETCH, CRIMSON CLOVER AND SERRADELLA IN NEW ZEALAND

Author
item Mueller Warrant, George
item HARE, M - AG RES GRASSLANDS, NZ
item DOUGLAS, G - AG RES GRASSLANDS, NZ
item FOOTE, A - AG RES GRASSLANDS, NZ

Submitted to: Journal of Applied Seed Production
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/15/1996
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Successful introduction and development of new forage crops involves cooperation and coordination among animal production specialists, plant breeders, seed producers, and research agronomists. This manuscript describes research into practical factors affecting seed production, including time of sowing, spring defoliation (simulated grazing), variety, and yearly variation in growing conditions. The information developed regarding seed yield potential and production pitfalls will be useful to seed growers considedring the production of hairy vetch, crimson clover, and serradella seed in New Zealand and elsewhere.

Technical Abstract: Autumn-sown hairy vetch responded favourably to sping defoliation under growing conditions producing large amounts of dry matter in early sping but unfavourably under more stressful conditions. Spring sowings of hairy vetch produced seed yields similar to those from optimum combinations of autumn sowing date and spring defoliation treatment, which varied between years. Crimson clover and serradella must be sown before May in order to establish well. Defoliation later than early September severly reduced crimson clover seed yield. Spring defoliation had no effect on serradella seed yield. The serradella cultivar Grasslands Koha established better and produced more seed than the cultivar Grasslands Spectra. Flooding was extremely detrimental to annual legume seed production, particularly when it occurred after defoliation,