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Published online 1 September 1975
Published in Agron J 67:652-654 (1975)
© 1975 American Society of Agronomy
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Influence of Seed Size, Planting Depth, and Companion Crop on Emergence and Vigor of Seedlings in Sweetclover1

F. A. Haskins and H. J. Gorz2

Seed size has been shown to have an important influence on the emergence and early growth of seedlings of several forage legumes, but only fragmentary information on seed size effects in sweetclover (Melilotus spp.) has been published. Therefore, a 2-year study was conducted in which spring and fall seedings of small, medium, and large seeds of ‘Madrid’ and ‘N13’ sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis (L.) Lam.) were made at depths of 19, 38, and 57 mm. The spring seeding also included a comparison of a companion crop (oats) with no companion crop. Data on emergence score and plant height were collected for the spring seeding only; stand count and dry matter yield of tops and roots were measured for both spring and fall seedings.

The companion crop had little effect on emergence score, but it reduced stand count and plant height, and was highly detrimental to dry matter yield. The performance of Madrid was poorer in all respects than that of N13, an experimental cultivar with relatively large seeds. As planting depth was increased, stand counts decreased, but the performance of plants that emerged from the greater depths was relatively good. The most striking results of increased seed size appeared to be improved emergence score and increased dry matter production.

Key Words: Melitotus officinalis (L.) Lam. • Top/root ratio

1 Contribution from the ARS-USDA, and the Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn., Lincoln. Published as Paper No. 3904, Journal Series, Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn. The authors gratefully acknowledge the help of Dr. Robert F. Muram, Statistical Laboratory, Nebraska Agric. Exp. Stn. in the analysis of the data.

2 Bert Rodgers Professor of Agronomy, Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE 68503; and Research Geneticist, ARS-USDA, Lincoln, Neb., respectively.

Received for publication February 21, 1975.




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Copyright © 1975 by the American Society of Agronomy.