Productivity of alfalfa cultivars in dryland Mediterranean environments of central Chile
2016
Ovalle, C | Espinoza, S | Barahona, V | Gerding, M | Pozo, A
Deep-rooted perennial legumes such as lucerne (Medicago sativa) can be an alternative for dryland production systems increasing pasture availability for grazing during autumn-winter as well in early summer, where it is more limited in Mediterranean environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate plant survival and biomass production of nine alfalfa cultivars from Australian and North American breeding programs in four Mediterranean environments of central-south of Chile. Cultivars were evaluated in four Mediterranean environments of central-south Chile during three seasons (2012 per 13-2014 per 15). The sites located at the Andean foothills (Yungay) and coastal dryland (Hidango) presented the highest values of soil water content on the top 100 cm. Plants survival varied between 71 and 97 per cent of the plants established. Plant biomass production during winter differed between sites and among cultivars, and was positively correlated to the winter activity class of cultivars. The total biomass production was significantly (P less than 0.05) different among environments; in 2013 per 14 was higher in the Andes foothill (Yungay) and in 2014 per 15 was higher in the interior dryland (Cauquenes)
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