The performance of pasture mixes containing 'Ceres Tonic' plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in Northland

Abstract

Over the last 10-15 years 'Ceres Tonic' plantain (Plantago lanceolata) has been added to many ryegrass/ white clover pastures in Northland. From 2001 to 2009, measurements were undertaken monthly in six locations throughout Northland to record the dry matter contribution of 'Tonic' plantain in mixes relative to perennial ryegrass-based pasture, using pasture cages in paired paddocks. Keywords: pasture mixes, dry matter production, seasonal distribution of dry matter, persistence

Effect of defoliation strategies on the productivity, population and morphology of plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

“…Mixed pastures including herbs like plantain or chicory tend to be more productive improving dry matter distribution in comparison with typical perennial ryegrass-based pastures used in New Zealand (Moorhead & Piggot 2009), and increasing lamb growth rates in late summer and autumn (Golding et al 2008).…”

Effects of including forage herbs in grass–legume mixtures on persistence of intensively managed pastures sampled across three age categories and five regions

“…Yield advantages occur because chicory and plantain are highly productive and drought tolerant, with extensive root systems (Stewart 1996;Li & Kemp 2005). The deep-rootedness enables greater nutrient and moisture capture lower in the soil profile than is possible with more shallow-rooted species such as perennial ryegrass and white clover, demonstrated for example in studies of chicory and plantain (Stewart 1996;Sanderson & Elwinger 2004;Li & Kemp 2005;Høgh-Jensen et al 2006;Moorhead & Piggot 2009).…”

Herbage production from five grazable forages

“…Chicory (Cichorium intybus) is a tap-rooted herb that has high growth rates in late spring and summer (Hare et al 1990). Moorhead & Piggot (2009) showed that adding the herb plantain (Plantago lanceolata) to perennial ryegrass pasture mixes increased DM production by 1.8 t DM/ha in summer. Sudan grass (Sorghum sudanense) is a cereal forage that is capable of yielding 12.4 t DM/ha over the 4 months from December to March (Silungwe 2011).…”