Abstract

PEDROZA SANDOVAL, Aurelio et al. Leaf area index and forage productivity indicators of Lotus corniculatus L. at different soil moisture contents and seasons of the year. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2024, vol.15, n.1, pp.17-31.  Epub Apr 12, 2024. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v15i1.6472.

The objective of the study was to evaluate the response of leaf area index and forage productivity of Lotus corniculatus clover genotypes with two different soil moisture contents under shade netting conditions. A randomized experimental block design in a split plot arrangement with three replicates was used. The large plots were soil moisture contents: optimum (OSMC: 26 % ± 1.5) and suboptimal (SSMC: 22 % ± 1.5); and the small plots were L. corniculatus accessions: 255301, 255305, 202700, 226792, and the bird’s-foot trefoil (Estanzuela Ganador) variety. The variables measured were leaf area index (LAI), dry matter biomass production (DM) (g plant-1), dry forage increase rate (DFIR) (g plant-1 d-1), and leaf-to-stem ratio (L/S), plus the climatic variables of temperature (°C) and relative moisture (%) in the shade net. Accession 255305 was the best responder in LAI, DM, and DFIR, with values of 3.2, 94.9 g plant-1, and 0.30 g plant-1 d-1, respectively, with OSMC; while the bird’s-foot trefoil had the best response in LAI with SSMC. There were no differences (P≤0.05) between the genetic materials evaluated in DM and DFIR, with average values of 82.4 g plant-1 and 0.26 g plant-1 d-1, respectively. Accessions 255301 and 226792 were the best L/S ratio with values of 2.9 and 2.5, respectively. In general, the best productive performance in terms of DM was obtained in spring, summer, and summer-autumn, with values of 17.5, 11.7, and 17.7 g plant-1, respectively.

Keywords : Livestock; Fodder clover; Stress physiology; Leaf area; Arid zones.

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