LUCERNE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 20 December 1913, Page 10

LUCERNE.

VARIETIES FROM IMPORTED SEED AT MOUMAHAKI.

(By W. S. HILL, B. Agric, in the Journal of Agriculture).

The obtaining of a suitable supply of green fodder for stock in the drier months of the year is one of the most serious problems facing the New Zealand farmer. Lucerne is a plant especially adapted for this purpose. Not only does it abundantly provide that requirement, but. it thrives under the hottest of climatic conditions, by means of its deeply penetrating roots appearing to obtain moisture from depths unsought by other plants. That lucerne can be cultivated more or less profitably in most arable portions of New Zealand has been demonstrated during the last.few seasons. It now remains to ascertain which strains or varieties are best adapted for general culture and for special conditions. With this view testing is being carried out at the Moumahaki Experimental Farm on the following lines:— (I.) Varieties grown from imported seed are being tested. (2.) Single-plant selections are being made with the intention of raising new and improved strains from acclimatised plants. The results of the trials, for the season 1912-13, of the varieties grown from imported seed at Moumahaki are shown , below* ' '-\':':- ' ■■~ ■■'..._':■■ '■ '.:''■.

It is desired to emphasise at the outset tKat these trials, with one exception, are from imported seed. It is evident .that lucerne-plants are capable of adapting themselves to local conditions and of changing their characteristics, as seen in the case of "the evolution of the Colonial (Marlborough-grown) and Hunter River (New South Wales) varieties from the province (commercially European) variety. It is expected that when the seed harvested from these varieties under trial at Moumahaki is resown the results will be of great _ interest. Numerous single-plant selections have been made, and should the progeny of some of these retain the qualities of their parents it is certain that still more prolific strains than "Marlborough" will result.

The variety plots at MounTahaki consist of two series. The larger plots occupy field 17 (9 acres), situated on the highest and most exposed portion of the farm. During the past season the produce of this/has been utilised for ensilage; hay (two crops), and grazing exneriments. Although not yielding as heavily as the smaller plots, still each, variety showed a characteristic yield. TV smaller plots are situated on a slightly stronger sandy loam and in a more sheltered position. Four rows, 2ft apart, of each variety were sown in t>>e late soring of 1911. All germinated well. and during the eunnner a^d autumn of 1912 they were mown. Fresh growth commenced from th 6 beginning of August onward, depending on the variety. No. 1 row of ench variety was first mown on September 30, and again on

November 19. This row was then allowed to seed. It was harvested on March 27. Subsequent mowings were made when necessary. No. 2 row of each, variety] was first cut on October 10, and again on November 19. From then onward this row was treated in a similar manner to No. 1 row.

No. 3 row was first cut on October 20, and again on November 10. Two other cuttings were made when in flower, and subsequent cuts when necessary.

No. 4 row was cut for the first time on November 19, when all these rows were in more or less full flower and' thoroughly mature. Further cuts were made when required. Table 1 represents a comparison between the one mature cut in row No. 4 and the two immature cuts in the other rows, and the average increases due to the one cut. Table 2 represents a more detailed comparison for the same period.

The advantages of making one thoroughly mature cut in the spring are not only confined to the immediate results, but it is apparent in each of the eight varieties that cutting the herbage when in a young succulent condition in early spring has a very definite detrimental effect on the growth of the plants during the remainder of the season. At the time of writing (July 31) the stunted growth of row No. 3 in Colonial and Hunter River in comparison with that of row No. 4 is,most striking. In the Peruvian and Arabian varieties this difference is not so peroceptibly marked.

At the end of the season 1912-13 the losses of green fodder in tons per acre due to the double immature cutting were as follows: Colonial. 5.64 tonsFrench, 5.61; Hunter River, 11.16; Hungarian, , 9.26; American, 11.36; Turkestan, 4.14; Peruvian, 3.45; Arabian, 2.55.

From the above it.will also be concluded that the Peruvian and Arabian varieties suffer least by cutting in the early stages, and on this account give promise as varieties suitable for grazing purposes. . . . '

No. 1 and No. 2 rows, after producing a crop of seed, grew more rapidly and produced a greater weight of fodder than either No. 3 or No. 4. row. The Hunter River variety produced the largest quantity of seed, Colonial yielding 20 per cent, leas; while the other varieties averaged 40 per dent, less than Hunter River.

The time for cutting lucerne, either tor ensilage, hay, or green fodder, is usually judged by the appearance of flowers. This is, as a general rule, a correct indication. It has been pointed out by authorities on lucerne that this plant should never be cut before fresh snoots or buds appear from the crown It is said that if the crop be cut before *tese shoots appear, the plant is considerably weakened and the succeeding crop is much diminished. During the latter portion of the season the lucerne does not flower, and consequently the time for cutting has to be judged by the appearance of these new growths. It would appear that the custom of basing the time of cutting lucerne on the appearance of flowers has crept in on account of the usual correlation at this period of the breaking into flower and the growth of new shoots. It is advocated that growers should study these points, and any observations on this subject would be welcome. Another authority considers that lucerne should never be cut until the newVbuds have formed at the base of the plant, but that this applies only to the first year as when once the plants are established new buds are forming almost continuously.

When it is oonsidered that by far the largest proportion of nutrient matter especially protein, is contained in the leaves, and that the ravages of the leafspot fungus cause a large percentage of the olde? leaves to fall, then it is apparent, that cutting \ should not be delayed too long, or quality will be sacrificed to quantity. Judgment as to time of cutting should strike the happy mean m order to obtain a maximum of quantity and quality. For these reasons the aim of the .plant-breeder is the selection ot Plants producing a maximum yield a high percentage of leaves, and show"l 2 resistance to the attacks of the Jeafnspot fungus. ' . A brief description of the varieties at present growing at Moumahaki is appended. " *

Colonial.—This is grown from seed produced m fhe Marlborough district. 1 he total yield of 33.24 tons per acre up to. May 31st, shows the capability «f this variety. Fresh growth again commenced during the first week in July, but this has been allowed to remain on account of the experience quoted m jetting lucerne at a young stage andl this growth will be included in next.season's yields. The variety is characterised by the dense succulent, growth of herbage. The leaves are broad and the density and spreading nature of +*ms variety are of great assistance in eheckmc the growth of annual weeds, berbaw^of the plants in rows 2ft apart entirely filled the intermedia*© snace, .leaving this free from weeds 7? en tTie crop was nit; Oh this season's IJtV^? ';f *he*fr v 'w the one recommended- to be..-prown for coitions siWj. £r to. those obtaining at Moumahafct >*l nns a r^'? n *>f the larowin? perod ffiftv-two >* Colohal lucerne PTew at the ra+e of 1 ton ocr acre in rour days and three-quarters.

Hunter River.—Only very little inferior to Colonial lucerne tor this season, yielding at the rate of 32.d2 tons per acre. The variety is of taller growta the steins are thicker and stronger, and the leaves more, linear than tne Colonial. Some excellent single-plant selections have been obtained from thiss variety. During one period (fiftyl-two days) the growth was at the rate of 1 ton per acre in four days and a-third.

Peruvian and Arabian.—These two have very similar characteristics, and are practically indistinguishable. From a casual observer's point of view these two are the best varieties—this on account of their rapidity of growth. After cutting they are usually several inches high before the other varieties have started growth. The following table shows a comparison of the weights and heights on November 19:

i Weight in Variety. Tons Height in per Acre. Inches. Colonial ............... 14.16 - 27 Hunter River 12.06 34 Peruvian 5.34 33 Arabian 5.46 32

Both varieties mature early," and are the first to be attacked by leai-epot, consequently requiring more frequent cutting. The growing period is longer than in the other varieties, there being a growth of 18in. high during the months of June and July, and this yielded an average of 2.73 tons per acre. It might be thought that such rapidly growing varieties would be susceptible to frost, but a lOin. growth was unaffected by six, degrees of frost on June 14.

The other varieties.—i.e., French, Hungarian, American, and Turkestan— are all of a similar nature. They have a short growing period and an average yield during the summer months. CONCLUSIONS. 1. That all eight varieties of lucerne suffer more or less front being cut back in the spring when the foliage is immature. 2. That Colonial (Marlboroughgrown) and Hunter River varieties so far give theHbest results for this dis* trict. 3. That the Peruvian and Arabian varieties promise well, as varieties that would withstand the effects of grazing. . The system carried ont at this farm is commended to growers.; The first cut of the season is made in the late spring and used for ensilage. This is preferably made into silage because—

(1) The variable weather-conditions during the month of November are not, as a rule, suitable for haymaking. (2) There is usually at this time ample greed fodHer in the snape of grass to satisfy the requirements of stock. (3) The weeds in the form of Scotch thistles, sow-thistles, and annual grasses have their maximum growth at this period, and, while making good silage, would deteriorate the sample of hay.

The next growth is comparatively free from weeds, and, when mature, an excellent sample of hay is secured. The following growth is suitable for cutting and feeding to stock, or if not required for this purpose can be made into hay. Grazing with stock from now onwards does not seem to be co detrimental to the subsequent growths, but much more experience is required on this point. This will be thoroughly tested, now that a sufficient area of lucerne is' available.

It is apparent thai care in the selection of seed and some judgment in respect of time of cutting will increase the yield of this valuable fodder plant.