Establishment and growth of sheep's burnet in the lower North Island of New Zealand

Spring establishment and herbage production of sheep's burnet ( Sanguisorba minor ssp. muricata ) were compared with birdsfoot trefoil ( Lotus corniculatus ) and lucerne ( Medicago sativa ) at Riverside in the lower North Island of New Zealand. The trial included binary mixtures of sheep's burnet and the legumes. Emergence of similar swards was also investigated at Flock House, a warmer site, in the lower North Island. Emergence of the three species was similar at each site but for sheep's burnet at Flock House (66.2%), it was greater than that at Riverside (26.5%). Both legumes emerged faster than sheep's burnet with lucerne being the quickest. The results suggested that sheep's burnet is best sown alone or with other slowly emerging species. Early foliar dry weight and leaf area of sheep's burnet and lucerne were similar and greater than that of birdsfoot trefoil. However, over three summer mowings (7‐8 cm high), total herbage mass for all pure and mixed swards was similar and averaged 6.3 t DM/ha. Sheep's burnet provided useful ground cover and forage mass.