Abstract
In Minnesota, perennial native legumes (Fabaceae) differed in population and yield response to seeding rates of 14, 67, 135, 275, and 538 pure live seeds (PLS)/m2 (1.3, 6.3, 12.5, 25, and 50 PLS/ft2) when seeded in cultivated seedbeds with little bluestem (Schizachryium scoparium (Michx.) Nash [Poaceae]). Average seeding-year populations were greatest for Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michx.) MacM. ex B.L. Robins. & Fern.) (131 plants/m2); intermediate and similar for false indigo (Amorpha fruticosa L.), wild blue indigo (Baptisia australis (L.) R. Br), and wild senna (Senna hebecarpa (Fern.) H.S. Irwin & Barneby) (average of 72 plants/m2); and least for purple prairie clover (Dalea purpurea Vent) (27 plants/m2). Seeding-year populations of all legumes increased linearly as seeding rate increased. Second-year biomass yield of legumes in mixture with little bluestem ranged from 1.1 Mg/ha (0.5 tons/ac) for purple prairie clover to 5.6 Mg/ha (2.5 tons/ac) for Illinois bundleflower.
- biomass yield
- plant populations
- false indigo
- wild blue indigo
- Illinois bundleflower
- purple prairie clover
- wild senna
- Fabaceae
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