Yield, yield components and shoot morphology of four contrasting lucerne (Medicago sativa) cultivars grown in three cool temperate environments
K. G. Pembleton A D , D. J. Donaghy A , J. J. Volenec B , R. S. Smith C and R. P. Rawnsley AA Tasmanian Institute of Agricultural Research, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 3523, Burnie, Tas. 7320, Australia.
B Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, 915 West State Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907-2054, USA.
C Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, PO Box 46, Kings Meadows, Tas. 7249, Australia.
D Corresponding author. Email: Keith.Pembleton@utas.edu.au
Crop and Pasture Science 61(6) 503-511 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP09351
Submitted: 8 December 2009 Accepted: 23 April 2010 Published: 1 June 2010
Abstract
Understanding which component has the greatest influence on yield is vital when managing lucerne (Medicago sativa) crops to maximise the production of high-quality forage. However, both yield components and plant morphology are affected by interactions between environment conditions and plant genetics. Field experiments across three environments (dryland at Cambridge: 500 mm annual rainfall, brown sodosol soil type; dryland at Elliott: 1200 mm annual rainfall, red ferrosol soil type; and irrigated at Elliott) in Tasmania, Australia were undertaken to investigate the yield, yield components and plant morphology of four lucerne cultivars; DuPuits, Grasslands Kaituna, SARDI 7 and SARDI 10 under cutting. The effect of cultivar on dry matter (DM) yield was different in each environment, with Grasslands Kaituna achieving the highest yield (P < 0.05) in dryland environments, while no difference in DM yield among cultivars (P > 0.05) occurred under irrigation. Stepwise linear regression consistently confirmed mass per shoot as the yield component with the greatest influence on DM yield for all cultivars and environments. Shoot density also had an influence on DM yield in two of the three environments. DuPuits had the highest leaf : stem ratio in all three environments and slower morphological development in two of the environments. Management practices across all environments and cultivars should aim to increase mass per shoot to maximise yield. Of the cultivars examined Grasslands Kaituna is the most appropriate for dryland conditions in Tasmania, while all cultivars examined were suited to production under irrigation.
Additional keywords: alfalfa, genotype × environment interactions, perennial legumes.
Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support provided by Dairy Australia Ltd, the statistical advice provided by Dr Ross Corkrey and the technical assistance from Mr Peter Chamberlain. The assistance provided by the farm staff at the TIAR Dairy Research Facility and the University of Tasmania Research Farm is also gratefully acknowledged. Seed of Grasslands Kaituna was kindly provided by Mr David Squibb of Wrightson Seeds and seed of SARDI 7 and SARDI 10 was kindly provided by Mr Darren Driscoll of Heritage Seeds. Mr Keith Pembleton’s stipend was provided through an Australian Postgraduate Award with additional support from Dairy Australia Ltd.
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