Plaintain
Early Settler brought Plantain to New Zealand. It is a low dwelling perennial plant which produces leafless flower stock in summer-autumn
Plantago lanceolata, longer, slender pointed ribbed leaves and a flowering stem. It is highly palatable to animals, providing a mineral-rich forage. It is used in pasture mixes. Don't be confused with Plantago major that has wide rounded leaves, with a flowering spike covered with small seeds. Pastures with P. major is usually low-producing and is seen as a weed therefore not used in pastures production.
Plantago lanceolata
Pros
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highly palatable to animals
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establishes rapidly
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is pest-tolerant
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has a high mineral content
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has a fibrous and coarse root system
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grows throughout New Zealand
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tolerance of hot summers and provides summer growth.
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grows on a range of soils, but it performs best on high-fertility soils that are free-draining soils
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sown into warm soils (10-12°C)
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plant no deeper than 10mm depth
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enjoys pH 5.6-6.2
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plantain-based pastures are useful for reducing nitrate leaching
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will last 2-3 years under dairy grazing
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can be grown in a pasture mix or as a special purpose crop
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establishes with best little competition from other plants for first three months.
cons
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Weeds should be eliminated before sowing
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Avoid heavy clay soils that can waterlog
Pasture Mix
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the seed mix is 8-10kg/ha plantain with or without clover.
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A grass/clover/plantain mixed pasture/clover mix at 1-4kg/ha managed like a typical pasture