Over a four years period (1980-1984) an alfalfa-orchardgras mixture was evaluated at La Platina Research Station (INIA, Santiago). An split-plot design, with four replications was used. Main plots were 0 and 64 units of N per ha and four sub-treatments were: alfalfa-orchardgrass, sown separately in alternate rows (1) and mixed in the same rows (2); alfalfa alone (3); and orchardgrass alone (4). Main objectives were to evaluate the effect of N and sowing method on the yield and botanical composition of the mixture by increasing orchardgrass proportion in the mixture without affecting alfalfas and total yield. Nitrogen fertilization reduced alfalfas yield; dueto the major contribution of this species to the mixture, yields were 5.4 and 2.6 Ton DM/ha higher for the first season (P < 0.01) and the total experimental period (P < 0.05) respectively, for the mixtures without N. The mixture was not significantly superior in yield than alfalfa alone. Sowing each species in alternate rows was more productive than mixing them in the same row. Considering the complete experimental period, the difference in total yield between both systems was significative (P < 0.05). Orchardgrass contribution in the mixture was increased when each species was sown in alternate rows (P < 0.05); it was even larger with N fertilization. |
ChileanJAR
