Seasonal behavior of the nutritional status of different accessions, and one variety of Lotus corniculatus L. undergoing water deficit

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the leaf nutrient content in the different seasons of the year of four accessions and one variety of clover Lotus corniculatus L. in optimal and suboptimal soil moisture contents under shade mesh in northern Mexico.

Design/methodology/approach: During 2021-2022, a randomized block experimental design was used in a split-plot arrangement with three replicates. The large plots were the soil moisture contents, optimal (26 %±1.5) and suboptimal (22 %±1.5); the small plots were the clover accessions identified with the origin code: 255301, 255305, 202700, 226792 and the variety Estanzuela Ganador.

Results: Accession 202700 was K-deficient throughout the year at optimum soil moisture content; meanwhile, accession 255301 was deficient in Mg and Mn, but only in summer, regardless of the moisture content in the soil. The N, P, Fe and Mn, were the nutrients that showed deficient contents, the two first throughout the year and the last two only in the winter and spring seasons.

Limitations on study/implications: These results could require a field validation since the experiment was carried out in semi control conditions under shade mesh.

Findings/conclusions: The nutritional status behavior depending on the type of nutrient, growth stage of the plant, seasonal time of the year and soil moisture content, which is important to design of an adequate nutrition program for L. corniculatus L. throughout the year that improves the forage productivity of this crop.