New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
`Grasslands Lancelot' plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.)
W. RUMBALL
R. G. KEOGH
G. E. LANE
J. E. MILLER
R. B. CLAYDON
AgResearch Grasslands
Private Bag 11008
Palmerston North, New Zealand
Abstract `Grasslands Lancelot' narrow-leaved plantain was
bred by four generations of selection from 109 seed populations, collected
mainly from the Manawatu region, New Zealand. Compared with this highly varied
base germplasm, Lancelot is a rosette-forming cultivar but is more erect,
densely-tillered, productive, and uniform. Lancelot has been evaluated in pure
and mixed swards under sheep grazing. The growth rate of animals is not high
from feeding on pure swards if the foliage is rank or at the heading stage,
both of which reduce intake. Carcass characteristics of sheep fed plantain are
typical for their growth rates and the meat flavours/odours are typical of
those fed grasses, less intense than those fed legumes. Animal performances
from plantain/legume mixtures have matched those of other species in legume
mixtures.
There are indications that Lancelot has several mild `medicinal' effects:
anthelmintic activity in test tube assays (though not in grazing trials);
antibiotic effect on rumen flora; high levels of some minerals; and a diuretic
effect.
Present results suggest the cultivar would best be used as a component of
mixed swards, particularly in dry regions, to add diversity to the animal
diet.
Keywords `Grasslands Lancelot' plantain; Plantago
lanceolata; forage herb
New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1997, Vol. 40: 373-377
0028-8233/97/4003-0373 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand
1997
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