The herbage accumulation and nutritive value of birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus 1.) cultivars

摘要

Lotus corniculatus L. is an alternative species of high nutritive value adapted to stressful environments. Despite large variations in climate and soil conditions, the only cultivar currently in use in New Zealand is the winter dormant 'Grasslands Goldie'. This paper reports an evaluation of alternative winter active cultivars in Uruguay (33° 54'). Winter active cultivars were 2,3 times more productive than winter dormant cultivats. Under regular defoliation, organic matter digestibility (OMD) was maintained over 600 g/kg DM Under extended herbage accumulation, OMD declined with advanced maturity, associated with a decline in leaf proportion. The digestible organic matter accumulation increased from the vegetative to the late maturity stages for the cultivar INIA Draco, remained unchanged after 50 % flowering in San Gabriel and Grasslands Goldie and was unchanged over all stages tested in the cultivar Steadfast CT varied from 21 6 to 307 g/kg DM between cultivats, being within the recommended range that produces benefits to animal performance. It is suggested that winter active cultivars deserve further consideration for the North Island of New Zealand.