Yield components, light interception and radiation use efficiency of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in response to row spacing

MATTERA J, ROMERO LA, CUATRÍN A, CORNAGLIA PS, GRIMOLDI AA

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2013 vol. 45 p. 87 - 95

1161-0301

Lucerne sowing is characterized by a rectangular spatial arrangement, i.e. greater distance between sowing rows than between plants in the row. Therefore, the reduction of row spacing generates more square spatial arrangements that can influence intraspecific competition and resource utilization, especially radiation, and thus biomass. The experiment included different row spacings (10-15-17.5-20 and 30 cm) at the same plant density in a pure lucerne crop during the first production year. Total aerial dry matter (ADM) was increased by narrow spacing (more square arrangements) up to an optimal distance (around 13 cm, R2=0.60). ADM ranged from 2292 to 1670 g DM m-2 for 15 and 30 cm row spacing, respectively. Plant density was the forage yield component most affected by row spacing and it increased with narrow spacing (0.15>R2