Small-plot studies ofDesmodium intortum(Mill.) Urb. cv. ‘Greenleaf’,D. uncinatum(Jacq.) DC. cv. ‘Silverleaf’, andLotononis bainesiiBaker cv. ‘Miles’, in Northland, New Zealand

Abstract

Abstract Establishment and subsequent dry matter productivity of three subtropical legume species Desmodium intortum cv. ‘Greenleaf’, D. uncinatum cv. ‘Silverleaf’, and Lotononis bainesii cv. ‘Miles’ were compared with that of Lotus pendunculatus cv. ‘Commercial’ at two sites in Northland from 1971–74. Late December sowings resulted in successful establishment of both Desmodium species at the two sites. The establishment of Lotononis and Lotus was variable between sites and generally less than that of the Desmodiums. D. uncinatum yielded most at the northern site over the growing season, although D. intortum was higher yielding at the Southern site. Maximum growth rates for D. uncinatum were 45 kg DM/ha/day, although yields appeared to be limited by moisture stress and low minimum temperatures over the growing season at both sites. D. uncinatum, more so than D. intortum, was higher yielding when cut at 42-day intervals than when cut at 21-day intervals at the Northern site. Cutting interval had little effect on yields of Lotononis or Lotus at either site or on Desmodium yields at the Southern site. It is concluded that Lotononis, because of lack of persistence, has little potential as a pasture legume, and that although both Desmodium species were equal to or better than Lotus, their potential is likely to be limited by summer-autumn moisture stress, low minimum temperatures, and special management requirements over the growing season in Northland.