INFLUENCE OF HARVESTING MANAGEMENT ON YIELD, CARBOHYDRATE RESERVES, ETIOLATED REGROWTH, AND POTASSIUM UPTAKE OF BIRDSFOOT TREFOIL

Abstract

Empire and Viking birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) were seeded in mixtures with Climax timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and harvested for forage according to four management systems: (1) four cuts at pre-bud stage, (2) three cuts at 10% bloom stage, (3) two cuts at 50% bloom stage, (4) two cuts at 75–100% bloom stage. Management 4 produced the most forage in both harvest years. Birdsfoot trefoil root weights were generally higher for the two-cut system than for the three- or four-cut system. Etiolated regrowth from the birdsfoot trefoil roots did not differ significantly due to management m either year. The percent total available carbohydrates did not vary significantly between varieties under the different management systems. Frequent harvesting reduced the forage production of birdsfoot trefoil and the amount of K removed from the soil by the plants.