Irrigating at podding and regrowth stages increases seed yield and improves pod distribution in lucerne grown in the Hexi Corridor in China

摘要

Abstract The rapid increase of pasture containing lucerne (Medicago sativa) has increased demands for the continual supply of high quality seed, especially in China. Irrigation times are important for seed production. Five irrigation treatments, including (1) irrigation at podding and flowering and regrowth (when the shoots start emerging from the crown); (2) irrigation at podding and regrowth stages; (3) irrigation at flowering and regrowth; (4) irrigation at branching and regrowth; (5) irrigation at the regrowth stage only, were used to determine the effect of irrigation times on seed yield, its components, and seed distribution within plant in this field experiment. Treatment 5 is the local farmer irrigation practice, and was used as the control treatment. There were significant differences in seed yields between treatments, but not between two successive seasons. Irrigation at regrowth and podding produced the greatest seed yield, followed by, in decreasing order: regrowth stage; flowering and regrowt...