A comparison of multi-species pasture with ryegrass-white clover pasture under dryland conditions.

摘要

The performance of three different multi-species pastures (MSP) was compared with that of a standard ryegrass-white clover pasture (Lolium perenne cv. Grasslands Super Nui-Trifolium repens cv. Grasslands Huia), over a 3-year period at two dryland sites in New Zealand. The MSP treatments had grass and legume species selected for compatibility and growth and aimed to provide a contrast in quality and production. The forb species, common to each of the MSP treatments, were chicory (Cichorium intybus),plantain (Plantago lanceolata), sheep's burnet (Sanguisorba minor) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium). The dry matter production of the MSP treatments was significantly higher than that of the ryegrass-white clover pasture (P<0.05) in all three years atone site and in one year only at the other site. Seasonal growth comparisons showed higher summer growth (P<0.05) for MSP treatments compared with ryegrass-white clover and similar autumn growth. Contribution to production of herbage components demonstrated less grass (P<0.05) and more legume and forbs in the MSP treatments. A lucerne (Medicago sativa)-based MSP gave the best overall performance.