This work aimed to compare cultivars of Lotus corniculatus L. (cv. São Gabriel, cv. ARS2620) and L. uliginosus Schkuhr (cv. Maku) through the morphological development analysis. The plants were cultivated in pots and they were harvested at 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 days after seeding being evaluated by linear, weight, volume, area, and count measurements. Data were submitted to regression analysis as a function of growth days. Cultivars had the same temporal trend for height, root volume, and shoot dry matter (DM), but differed in terms of the magnitude. The DM accumulation (g/plant) was greater for the cvs. Maku (15.0) and S. Gabriel (14.0) in relation to cv. ARS2620 (11.0). The cvs. S. Gabriel, Maku, and ARS2620 differed respectively for plant diameter: 96.7, 80.7, and 68.5 cm; crown diameter: 6.5, 15.7, and 8.1 mm; root mass extension: 37.8, 29.2, and 40.4 cm; crown stem number: 37.8, 29.2, and 40.4. The underground system was more vigorous in the cv. Maku, which produced more soboles MS (16.3) in relation to cvs. ARS2620 (4.7) and São Gabriel (2.0), showing potentially more persistence under grazing condition.
growth analysis; Lotus corniculatus; L. uliginosus; sobole
