Delayed sowing decreased lucerne dry matter yield over two seasons

摘要

Lucerne (Medicago saliva L.) can be sown in New Zealand from late spring (October) to early autumn (March). In the establishment season, greatest drymatter (DM) yields are normally attained from sowing early and production lost from delayed sowing isonly considered in the establishment season. The objective of this research is to determine if sowing date continues to have an effect on DM yield in year two and how the partitioning of DM between the above and below ground plant fractions is influenced by sowing date.