Effect of sowing date on lucerne emergence, survival, nodulation, and early growth

Abstract

In a field trial at Lincoln 10 sets of plots were sown between February 1974 and March 1975 to examine the effect of sowing date on lucerne (Medicago sativaL.) establishment. Rate of germination increased with increasing soil temperature and was greatest in December. Emergence and seedling survival were greatest in October and November. A September sowing resulted in the best nodulation with 94% of plants nodulated, and a June sowing the worst with 37%. Spring sowings (September, October, and November) resulted in the earliest forage production and the greatest daily growth rate in the young crop. Sowing in December instead of November reduced yields by 3500 and 4470 kg/ha in the first and second seasons respectively. © 1976 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.