Abstract
Abstract The effects of an open or closed lucerne canopy on the start, rate, and extent of emergence and seedling growth of three perennial grasses overdrilled into a 5-year-old lucerne sward were examined. Lucerne cover had no effect on the start, rate, and extent of emergence. However, 90 days after sowing (DAS), the closed lucerne canopy reduced seedling survival from 81 to 28% in Lolium perenne L. cv. Grasslands Nui, from 81 to 37% in Phalaris aquatica L. cv. Grasslands Maru, but had no effect on Bromus willdenowii Kunth cv. Grasslands Matua survival. The closed lucerne canopy significantly reduced: dry matter (DM)/plant from 1620 to 70 mg; leaf area (LA)/plant from 98 to 6 cm2; and root length density from 4.8 to 2.2 km/m3. The number of tillers/plant of Matua, Maru, and Nui under the closed lucerne canopy was reduced to 30, 20, and 13% of the open canopy, respectively. It is concluded that lucerne cover had no effect on all aspects of emergence investigated. Nevertheless, if the lucerne cover is den...
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call