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Harvest Management Effects on Red Clover Forage Yield, Quality, and Persistence

1998; Wiley; Volume: 11; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

10.2134/jpa1998.0309

2689-4114

D. Wiersma, R. R. Smith, D. K. Sharpee, M. J. Mlynarek, Robert E. Rand, D. J. Undersander,

Plant pathogens and resistance mechanisms

Forage cutting management recommendations emphasize early and frequent harvests to maximize forage nutrient yields. This study was conducted to determine forage yield, quality, and persistence of five modern red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cultivars harvested at different frequencies and stages of maturity throughout the growing season. Red clover plots were established at Arlington, Marshfield, Spooner, and Ashland, WI, in 1989 and at Marshfield, WI, in 1990. During the establishment year, forage was removed once or twice when red clover plants reached 20% bloom. Five cultivars were harvested for 2 yr after the seeding year under five harvest management systems (HMS): A = 3 summer cuts at bud stage + late fall cut; B = 3 summer cuts at bud stage; C = 2 summer cuts at 20% bloom + late fall cut; D = 2 summer cuts at 40% bloom + late fall cut; E = 2 summer cuts at 40% bloom. Cutting red clover twice at 20% bloom and once in late fall (HMS C) produced maximum seasonal forage yield during both harvest years at all locations. In the northern Wisconsin locations, HMS D and E yielded the same as HMS C, while southern locations favored the earlier, more frequent cutting schedules (HMS A, B, and C). Fall harvest of red clover before the second winter did not significantly reduce forage yield in the third year. When comparing forages cut at bud stage, 20% bloom, or 40% bloom, maximum red clover yield is attained by 20% bloom. Forage quality of spring growth forage was lower than subsequent summer harvests as measured by crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Forages cut at bud stage had the highest concentration of CP and lowest concentration of NDF and ADF, and forage quality declined with increasing maturity. Persistence of red clover was not greatly affected by HMS, but where differences occurred, plant stands and fourth year yields were highest for management systems C, D, and E where plots were cut less frequently or at later growth stages. Current red clover cultivars should be harvested three times (2 summer cuts + 1 late fall cut) during the year when plants are between bud stage and 20% bloom stage for optimum forage yield, quality, and persistence. Research Question Red clover cultivars developed during the 1970s and 1980s are higher yielding, more disease resistant and persistent than those developed prior to 1970. Forage cutting recommendations emphasize early and frequent harvests to maximize forage nutrient yields. This study was conducted to determine forage yield, quality, and persistence of five modern red clover cultivars harvested at different frequencies and stages of maturity throughout the growing season. Literature Summary Red clover has been characterized as a biennial or short-lived perennial that is harvested two or three times per season. Under hay harvesting systems, red clover typically produces its greatest forage yield in the year after establishment. When three cuttings are made in the second year of growth, third year yields will be lower compared with a two-cut harvest system. To obtain higher quality forages, forage producers must harvest forages at an earlier stage of maturity and harvest more frequently. Both earlier and more frequent harvesting can reduce persistence of forage legumes. However, cultivars of red clover that have been developed during the last two decades are more disease resistant and persistent than those developed prior to the 1970s. These more persistent cultivars may be better adapted to frequent and early cutting systems. Study Description Five red clover cultivars were seeded at Arlington, Marshfield, Spooner, and Ashland, WI, in 1989 and at Marshfield, WI, in 1990. Plots were harvested for 2 yr after the seeding year under five harvest management systems (HMS): A = 3 summer cuts at bud stage + late fall cut B = 3 summer cuts at bud stage C = 2 summer cuts at 20% bloom + late fall cut D = 2 summer cuts at 40% bloom + late fall cut E = 2 summer cuts at 40% bloom Red clover stands and first cut forage yields were measured in the fourth year to determine persistence of cultivars and treatments. Applied Questions At what stage and how many times should red clover be cut for maximum yields during production years and yet maintain persistence? Cutting red clover twice at 20% and in late fall (HMS C) produced maximum seasonal forage yield during both harvest years at all locations. In the northern Wisconsin locations, HMS D and E yielded the same as HMS C, while southem locations favored the earlier, more frequent cutting schedules (HMS A, B, and C). When is the optimum time to harvest red clover forage for maximum nutrient yield? Forages cut at bud stage had the highest concentration of crude protein and lowest concentration of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber, and forage quality declined with increasing maturity. When comparing forages cut at bud stage, 20% bloom, or 40% bloom, maximum red clover yield is attained by 20% bloom. Maximum nutrient yields will be obtained by harvesting red clover when the plants are between bud stage and 20% bloom. Does earlier, more frequent cutting affect red clover persistence? Forage stands were high (> 60%) in the second year after seeding and produced > 3 tons dry matter/acre at all locations. Persistence of red clover was not greatly affected by harvest system, but when differences occurred, plant stands and yields in the third year after seeding were highest for systems C, D, and E where plots were cut less frequently or at later stages of maturity.