Stubble Treatments Research Articles

An established mixture of three herbage species was grown in 18-inch square boxes in the greenhouse for 100 days and cut at approximately 11-day intervals for yield determination. Light intensities of 1800-, 600- and 200-foot candles were supplied by combinations of natural daylight, shading, and incandescent light. Dry matter yields of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) and common white clover (Trifolium repens) decreased as light intensities were decreased but creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra) yields, although low in comparison with the other species, remained relatively constant. Clover and fescue yields were not affected significantly by the height of stubble left after harvest at any of the light intensities, but at 1800 foot-candles orchardgrass yields were lower when cutting was to a 4-inch rather than to a 2-inch stubble. Clover comprised 50 to 60 per cent of the herbage mixture under all light and stubble treatments even though liberal applications of nitrogenous fertilizer were made.