EFFECT OF DEFOLIATING TIMOTHY CULTIVARS DURING PRIMARY GROWTH ON YIELD, QUALITY AND PERSISTENCE

Abstract

A forage system based on timothy (Phleum pratense L.) cultivars of different maturities is recommended in Atlantic Canada. Early and later maturing cultivars are grown to spread the harvesting of timothy, at optimal primary growth maturities, to about 3 wk. At some locations the resulting harvest period has been considerably shorter and for this reason the timothy system was examined in a 4-yr field study. Four timothies, representing very early, early, midseason, and late cultivars, were cut at five dates with primary growth stages ranging from vegetative to full heading. Regrowth was cut about 45 days after cut 1. Total dry matter yield and total N concentration of combined cuts 1 and 2 were generally influenced by cutting schedules but not by cultivars. The in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD) was dependent on both cutting schedule and cultivar. The early-maturing cultivar Clair reached its peak IVDMD earlier than later maturing Champ, Itasca, or Bounty. At termination of the field study, there were fewer timothy tillers per square metre and ground cover by timothy was slightly less for those cuts taken during stem elongation. The results suggest that three out of four cultivars were of similar maturity and had similar total N and IVDMD. We conclude that the currently recommended timothy cultivars in Atlantic Canada do not provide a sufficient range in maturity for the average growing season in the region to warrant multiple cultivars on individual farms. At present, timothy stands may be cut prior to and during stem elongation to lengthen the harvest period.Key words: Timothy, in vitro dry matter digestibility, total nitrogen