THE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION ON YIELD, SEASONAL DISTRIBUTION AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THREE PASTURE MIXTURES
The effects of irrigation treatments and seed mixtures on yield, quality and seasonal distribution of pasture production were studied at Saanichton, British Columbia. Ten acre-inches of water in five equal applications proved to be the best irrigation treatment. It increased production by an average of 85 per cent during 4 years and by 129 per cent in the very dry 1953 season. Plots irrigated with 15 acre-inches of water reached wilting point down to the 12-inch depth during periods of severe drought, while at other times water was lost through deep percolation. Irrigation increased the protein and decreased the fat contents of the herbage but had little effect on the crude fiber and ash content.Orchardgrass and Ladino clover in a mixture proved to be outstanding for uniform production throughout the season. Orchardgrass produced a better balance of grass to legume in the herbage than Alta fescue and perennial ryegrass.