Establishment and defoliation management of a warm-season legume into warm-season grass pasture

We proposed strip-planting as an alternative to establish rhizoma peanut (Arachis glabrata) into existing bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) pastures with the ultimate goal of achieving a grass-legume mixture. Including legumes in warm-season forage-livestock systems has the potential to increase the nutritive value of the forage offered to livestock and to increase Nitrogen cycling in the system. Control of plant competition (cultural, chemical, and mechanical) and defoliation management (clipping vs. grazing) were more critical factors than seedbed preparation for successful establishment and spread (~30 cm per year) of rhizoma peanut. In addition, if grazing does occur during the first 2 years of planting, grazing management targets for the endpoint of grazing should focus on the strip component of the pasture planted to rhizoma peanut as opposed to the bahiagrass component of the pasture.

Publications: Crop Sci. 53:724-731; Crop Sci. 53:2255-2263; Crop Sci. 54:1868-1875; Crop Sci. 55:2384-2389