Use of Irrigated Lucerne at Different Growth Stages. I. Evaluation Under Cutting

Lucerne (Medicago sativa) cv. Huinca with medium winter dormancy was used to evaluate different cutting sequences. Treatments were: prebud (PB), bud (B), 10% flower (lOPP), SO% 0ower (SOPP) and combinations of these, giving 12 treatments in total. Lucerne was 3 years old at the beginning of the trial. A complete block design with 4 replicates and 2 x 6 m plots was used. Cuts were made at a height of SO mm. During the S seasons the cutting sequence B-I0PP had the highest yields (lS-19 t DM/ha) and was significantly higher (P<0.0S) than always cutting at B stage. B-IOPP was similar (P<0.0S) to I0PF, Plant density decreased from 65 to 25 plants/m1 for treatments cut at B. Percentage crude protein varied from IS.3 to 20.4% and acid detergent fibre ranged from 34.8 to 40.5%.