Key Points
- Two trials were setup near Ashburton to investigate the influence of nutrients (primarily nitrogen) and the time of cutting on the harvested seed yield of borage.
- Nitrogen timing and rate had no affect on seed yield, suggesting the 126 kg mineral N/ha in the soil is adequate for borage (Figure 1). Application of N only increased the dry matter produced by vegetative organs. The addition of K had no influence on seed yield.
- Time of cutting was based on a growth stage development scale (Simpson, 1993a). Delaying the cutting date (increasing the growth stage) led to a reduction in seed yield (Figure 3).
- Harvest timing may be more accurately interpreted year to year on the basis of seeds/m2counted on the ground or as a growth stage, compared to ‘days after sowing’.