The influence of length of growing period, nitrogen fertilization and shading on tillering of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.).

Authors

  • Th. Alberda
  • L. Sibma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18174/njas.v30i2.16987

Abstract

The formation and death of tillers was studied in swards of perennial ryegrass. These swards differed in the length of the growing period and in the amount of N applied after each cut. Tillers died faster after a 6-weekly growing period than after a 4-weekly period. Some plants were far more affected than others, often resulting in the complete death of plants and thus in open spaces in the sward. Shading experiments suggested that plant deaths resulted from mutual shading. Small plants are shaded by taller ones and have a lower reserve content and a therefore higher death rate. High cutting frequencies or low N application rates could prevent open spaces from appearing or could be used to rehabilitate an open sward provided it was not yet infested with unwanted species. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)

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Published

1982-05-01

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Section

Papers