Lotus corniculatus under different defoliation frequencies and methods Monoculture

Abstract

The influence of harvest frequency and method (cutting 1 or 3 times, mulching 1 or 2 times per year) on the yield and sward composition of Lotus corniculatus L. in monoculture and in a mixture with Festuca pratensis L. was researched in field experiments in Prague during 7 vegetation years. The species L. corniculatus produced on average 7 t ha-1 of dry mass under three cuts per year, 6.5 t ha-1 under two harvests and 2.2 t ha-1 under one harvest in the 2nd vegetation year. Yields decreased in later years. The proportion of L. corniculatus decreased from 99.6% (three cuts per year) or 96.9% (the twice mulched one) to 60% and 0% respectively of the total yield of monoculture in the 7th year (a linear relation, r2 0.87-0.99). The Lotus share in the mixture increased till the 4th vegetation year but later it decreased similarly like in the monocultures (polynomial function). The number of L. corniculatus plants per m2 was significantly lower under a lower harvest frequency. The reduced projective dominance of L. corniculatus decreased in a significant dependence on the time from 70 to 13% under 3 cuts. The research was supported by the grants QF4062 and MSM6046070901.