A study of yield interactions in mixed sowings of alfalfa and three perennial grasses

doi:10.11686/cyxb2021175

Abstract

Abstract:

This study investigated the yield and competitive interactions in three mixed-sown combinations of alfalfa （Medicago sativa） and a perennial grass （M. sativa+Poa pratensis， M. sativa+Bromus inermis and M. sativa+Festuca arundinacea）. The mixtures were established at legume∶grass ratios of 7∶3， 5∶5， and 3∶7， and monocultures of alfalfa and the three grasses were also included as a contrast. Data on biomass and key morphological traits of each species in the various monocultures and mixed sowings were collated and analyzed to investigate the competitive interactions between alfalfa and the three grass species， so as to provide a theoretical basis for the development of management guidelines for high yield and high quality of mixed sown pasture. Results indicated that the relative yield （RY） values of alfalfa in the three mixed sowing combinations were higher than 1.0 and that alfalfa had a competitive advantage over the grasses. The growth of the grass in the combinations of M. sativa+P. pratensis and M. sativa+B. inermis was suppressed by alfalfa， while grass in M. sativa+F. arundinacea combination grew synergistically with alfalfa. For the three legume∶grass ratios tested in the mixed-sown plots， the RY for the alfalfa component ranked 3∶7>5∶5>7∶3 and RY for the grass component ranked 3∶7>7∶3>5∶5. For the alfalfa component， responses to the mixed sowing systems included reduced plant height and increased stem diameter and leaf area. For the grass component， plant height increased and stem diameter reduced were also observed but leaf area was increased in mild competition and decreased in more intense competition. These responses resulted in a high （>1.0） total relative yield （RYT） value under different mixed sowing ratios. The species in the mixed sown plots adapted to the variations in the interspecific relationship by adjusting their morphological characteristics， and these adjustments provided the mechanism for the achievement of synergistic growth and yield increase. Among the three mixed sown combinations， M. sativa+F. arundinacea exhibited a greater biomass-increasing effect than the others， especially with the legume：grass ratio of 3∶7. In contrast， in the mixed sowings of M. sativa+P. pratensis and M. sativa+B. inermis， the legume∶grass ratio of 7∶3 had the highest biomass-increasing effect.

Key words: alfalfa, perennial grasses, mixed sowing, interspecific competition, morphological character, forage yield

Hui-hui ZHANG, Shang-li SHI, Bei WU, Zi-li LI, Xiao-long LI. A study of yield interactions in mixed sowings of alfalfa and three perennial grasses[J]. Acta Prataculturae Sinica, 2022, 31(2): 159-170.

Figures/Tables 10

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项目 Item	处理 Treatment	编号 Code	类型比例 Mixed sowing ratio	播种量Sowing amount （kg·hm^-2）
项目 Item	处理 Treatment	编号 Code	类型比例 Mixed sowing ratio	紫花苜蓿Alfalfa	禾本科Gramineae
单播 Monoculture	草地早熟禾P. pratensis	CK₁	-	0	15.0
	无芒雀麦B. inermis	CK₂	-	0	30.0
	苇状羊茅F. arundinacea	CK₃	-	0	20.0
	紫花苜蓿M. sativa	CK₄	-	15.0	0
混播 Mixture sowing	紫花苜蓿+草地早熟禾 M. sativa and P. pratensis （M+P）	M₃P₇	3∶7	4.5	10.5
		M₅P₅	5∶5	7.5	7.5
		M₇P₃	7∶3	10.5	4.5
	紫花苜蓿+无芒雀麦 M. sativa and B. inermis （M+B）	M₃B₇	3∶7	4.5	21.0
		M₅B₅	5∶5	7.5	15.0
		M₇B₃	7∶3	10.5	9.0
	紫花苜蓿+苇状羊茅 M. sativa and F. arundinacea （M+F）	M₃F₇	3∶7	4.5	14.0
		M₅F₅	5∶5	7.5	10.0
		M₇F₃	7∶3	10.5	6.0

项目 Item	处理 Treatment	编号 Code	类型比例 Mixed sowing ratio	播种量Sowing amount （kg·hm^-2）
项目 Item	处理 Treatment	编号 Code	类型比例 Mixed sowing ratio	紫花苜蓿Alfalfa	禾本科Gramineae
单播 Monoculture	草地早熟禾P. pratensis	CK₁	-	0	15.0
	无芒雀麦B. inermis	CK₂	-	0	30.0
	苇状羊茅F. arundinacea	CK₃	-	0	20.0
	紫花苜蓿M. sativa	CK₄	-	15.0	0
混播 Mixture sowing	紫花苜蓿+草地早熟禾 M. sativa and P. pratensis （M+P）	M₃P₇	3∶7	4.5	10.5
		M₅P₅	5∶5	7.5	7.5
		M₇P₃	7∶3	10.5	4.5
	紫花苜蓿+无芒雀麦 M. sativa and B. inermis （M+B）	M₃B₇	3∶7	4.5	21.0
		M₅B₅	5∶5	7.5	15.0
		M₇B₃	7∶3	10.5	9.0
	紫花苜蓿+苇状羊茅 M. sativa and F. arundinacea （M+F）	M₃F₇	3∶7	4.5	14.0
		M₅F₅	5∶5	7.5	10.0
		M₇F₃	7∶3	10.5	6.0

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