The influence of autumn cutting on canopy structure and seed production of first-year crops of Poa pratensis L and Festuca rubra L.

Abstract

In field experiments in 1981-86, Poa pratensis cv. Kimono and Baron and Festuca rubra cv. Agram and Koket were undersown in companion crops of winter wheat cv. Arminda. Cuts were made immediately after wheat harvest or 4-6 weeks later. N application as autumn and spring dressings did not alter the effects of cutting. In most experiments, cutting treatments increased production of inflorescence and seed yield, mainly due to better illumination, and increased survival of the late elongating reproductive tillers. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)