Abstract
Lotus tenuis forage yield has been quantified under defoliation conditions in pastures, grasslands and under dual-purpose production of both livestock forage and seeds. However, little is known about the effects of defoliation management on L. tenuis flower and pod production and subsequent seed yield. Two field experiments were conducted to study the response of L. tenuis to defoliation at different flowering stages and intensities. In Experiment 1, crops were defoliated at the beginning of the flowering (DBF), mid-flowering (DMF) or full flowering (DFF). In Experiment 2, defoliation was in vegetative stage at low (LDI) or high (HDI) intensities. Defoliation in Experiment 1 neither affected plant cover nor the photosynthetically active radiation intercepted by the crop during pod production. There were less umbels with dehiscent (shattered) pods in the DFF treatment than in Control, DBF and DMF treatments. Flower peak occurred first in the Control, DBF and DMF treatments, and eight days later in DFF plots, however, seed yield was not affected (1324 ± 32.8 kg·ha-1). Defoliation intensity did not affect seed yield (962 ± 25.9 kg·ha-1) because of self-compensation which increased harvest index in HDI (14.5% ± 0.6%) compared to the Control and LDI (12.0% ± 0.3%) treatments. Plant survival was not affected by defoliation treatments in any of the experiments. Flowering can be synchronized through defoliation. The blooming of large numbers of flowers in a short time was achieved, reducing the number of shattered pods. Compensatory responses through plant plasticity conferred L. tenuis the ability to overcome defoliation without affecting seed yield. Lotus tenuis defoliation as management tool will be considered in future researches because it is possible to harvest forage and to increase seed yield through a reduction of shattered pods.
Highlights
Lotus tenuis is a forage legume native of the Mediterranean region
Defoliation at early flowering in different forage legumes such as Lotus pedunculatus, L. corniculatus and Trifolium spp. can delay the onset of flowering, reduce pod number, seeds per pod and, seed yield [17] [18]
Lotus tenuis flowering peaked in middle January, which was consistent with the results reported in different Lotus species [5]
Summary
Lotus tenuis is a forage legume native of the Mediterranean region It has been investigate as a potential forage for grazing ruminal in New Zealand, USA, Australia and South America [1]-[6]. The management of this species has been quantified under defoliation conditions in pastures, grasslands and under dual-purpose production of both livestock forage and seeds [7]. Crop vegetative biomass production and seed yield can be modified through frequency and intensity of defoliation at different phenological stages [2] [8] [9] [13]-[15]. Defoliation at early flowering in different forage legumes such as Lotus pedunculatus, L. corniculatus and Trifolium spp. can delay the onset of flowering, reduce pod number, seeds per pod and, seed yield [17] [18]
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