| V. F. Juan, L. Monterroso, M. B. Sacido, M. A. Cauhépé |
| Authors are respectively, research associate, Department of Vegetal Production , Facultad de AgronomĚa, Universidad Nacional del Centro de la Provincia de Buenos Aires. CC. 178 ( 7300) Azul. Argentina,,and researcher, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Argentina. |
Abstract |
| In Argentina, Paspalum quadrifarium Lam. (paja colorada) forms tall dense grassland communities in the flooding pampas. Referred to locally as "pajonales", these grasslands generally have very low nutritional value for cattle, except at the post-burn regrowth stage. To improve forage quality and consumption by breeding cattle, Lotus tenuis Walst et Kit. is over seeded immediately after burning of paja colorada pajonales. The objectives of this experiment were to follow the after seeding cover of lotus, evaluate weed control, and assess disease incidence and severity. The experiment was carried out in Azul, Buenos Aires province of Argentina, between September 1993 to September 1996. The postburn seedbed was very favorable for lotus germination and establishment. The most effective chemical weed control was obtained with 2,4-D used alone or in combination with dicamba. Lotus increased markedly the quality of the pasture forage due to its high crude protein content. Four fungus diseases were found: Botrytis cinerea Pers., Stemphylium sp. Wallroth, Uromyces loti Blytt. and Fusarium spp. Link ex Fr. However, these caused only light foliar damage and did not impair lotus germination or establishment. The overseeding of lotus after burning of P. quadrifarium pajonales, is a very effective technique to improve carrying capacity and animal performance. |
| Key Words: Paspalum quadrifarium, Lotus tenuis, fire, weed control, diseases, species diversity |