Abstract The effects of irrigation and fungicide seed treatment on the establishment and growth of perennial grasses overdrilled into lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) were investigated. Phalaris aquatica cv. Grasslands Maru, Bromus willdenowii cv. Grasslands Matua, and Lolium perenne cv. Grasslands Nui were overdrilled into 5‐year‐old lucerne in spring in a dry, subhygrous environment. At 250 days after sowing (DAS), the seedling population was only 11 % of the peak value, with significant differences in survival between species of 29, 45, and 60 plants/m2 for Nui, Maru, and Matua respectively. Irrigation did not significantly affect seedling establishment or survival and had no effect on seedling growth where the lucerne canopy was closed, but increased seedling weight by 77% where the canopy was open. Similarly, seedling growth at 40 DAS was no different for all species under the closed canopy but Matua seedlings were 35% heavier than Nui where this was open. Matua seedlings had a leaf area which was 2–4 ti...
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