Narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.): A review of research on forage management within temperate grazing systems

Abstract

Forage plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) has emerged as a valuable agronomic species within grazing systems in New Zealand. The release of two cultivars in New Zealand in the mid-1990s led to on-farm use and research. Subsequent identification of the potential of plantain for reducing nitrogen losses from intensive grazing systems led to an expansion of research and extension over the last decade. This review summarises key aspects of the agronomic use of modern forage plantain from mainly New Zealand-based research, including environmental tolerance, forage productivity, feed quality, cultivar development, weed and pest management, grazing management and measurement of herbage mass. The agronomic advantages of including modern plantain cultivars in pastures include seasonal growth complementarity with grasses and clovers, greater summer-drought resilience and improved forage quality. On-farm use of plantain in New Zealand has grown to about 20% of new pastures over three decades, a modest level which can be attributed to unmet farmer expectations of plantain persistence as a substantive contributor to perennial grass-based swards and the limitations for controlling dicot weeds. These are key areas of future research priority, along with the potential for complementarity with forage grasses other than perennial ryegrass.