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Yield and water-use efficiency of contrasting lucerne genotypes grown in a cool temperate environment
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 06:03 authored by Pembleton, KG, Richard RawnsleyRichard Rawnsley, Donaghy, DJIn Tasmania, Australia, forage production is maximised by the use of irrigation. However, availability of water for irrigation is often limited, making the water-use efficiency (WUE) of a species/genotype an important consideration when designing forage systems. Field experimentation and an associated modelling study was undertaken to determine the WUE and environmental factors influencingWUEfor contrasting lucerne (Medicago sativa) genotypes across six dairying regions within Tasmania. In the field experiment a significant genotype influence on WUE was identified under irrigated conditions and modelling identified a genotype influence on WUE in three out of six regions. WUE was related to the amount of water received (irrigation plus rainfall). The marginal response to the application of irrigation water (MWUE) was greatest for the highly winter-active genotype in the field experiment; however, modelling did not identify a consistent genotype influence onMWUEacross regions.MWUEwas negatively associated with the amount of deep drainage. The present study identified that lucerne has the potential to improve the WUE of forage systems across six different Tasmanian regions. The linkage of MWUE and deep drainage highlights that deficit irrigation practices could further improve the WUE of this forage crop,particularly in environments prone to deep drainage.
Funding
Dairy Australia Limited
History
Publication title
Crop and Pasture ScienceVolume
62Issue
7Pagination
610-623ISSN
1836-0947Department/School
Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA)Publisher
CSIRO PublishingPlace of publication
AustraliaRights statement
Copyright © 2011 CSIRORepository Status
- Restricted