The productivity of irrigated legumes in northern Victoria. 3. Frequency and intensity of defoliation of subterranean clover
C. R. StockdalePrimary Industries Research Victoria (PIRVic), Department of Primary Industries, Kyabram Centre, 120 Cooma Road, Kyabram, Vic. 3620, Australia. Email: richard.stockdale@dpi.vic.gov.au
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 45(12) 1587-1594 https://doi.org/10.1071/EA03214
Submitted: 28 October 2003 Accepted: 7 May 2004 Published: 19 January 2006
Abstract
An experiment was undertaken to consider the effects of a range of defoliation treatments on aspects of the productivity of a subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) sward (predominantly cv. Trikkala), with particular emphasis on flowering and seed production. There were 2 heights of defoliation, 2.8 and 7.0 cm (rising plate meter) above ground level, and at each height of defoliation, there were 4 intervals of harvest, 4, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. Treatments were arranged randomly within blocks, and there were 4 replicates. Harvests were conducted between autumn (6 April) and spring (13 November).
The total production of herbage varied from 5.7 to 8.7 t DM/ha of harvested material, with variations in response due to both height and frequency of defoliation. Harvested yield increased from 6.2 to 7.4 t DM/ha (P<0.05) as interval between harvests was extended, and plots harvested to 2.8 cm above ground level yielded more (7.7 t DM/ha; P<0.05) harvested herbage than those harvested to 7.0 cm (6.0 t DM/ha). While there were differences in production due to defoliation management, nutritive characteristics (DM digestibility, crude protein, neutral detergent fibre) of harvested herbage were similar in all treatments throughout the year.
Production of above and below ground seed increased (P<0.05) as interval between harvest increased, and was greater (P<0.05) at the higher defoliation height. Defoliating at 4- and 6-week intervals interrupted the reproductive development of Trikkala; late September–early October harvests substantially reduced both subsequent petiole extension and flower production. This resulted in Trikkala seeds of lower weight in the above ground seed pool (P<0.05). This may have impacted on regenerating ability in the next autumn because Trikkala seeds that were less than about 4 mg in weight were less likely to germinate than heavier seed. In conclusion, the highest dry matter production occurred with intensive, infrequent defoliation whereas highest seed yields were produced with lax, infrequent defoliation.
Additional keywords: flowering, nutritive characteristics, pasture growth rate, seed size.
Acknowledgments
Shirley Soares conducted the laboratory analyses. Financial assistance from the Department of Primary Industries is acknowledged.
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