There is little information known about the response of cup-plant (Silphiumperfoliatum L.), a perennial forage crop introduced to Chile, to differing cultivation practices. A series of studies was conducted to evaluate the adaptation and productivity of cup-plant across a range of plant densities (104,000 - 208,000 plants ha-1), cutting stages (early vegetative to seed formation), and different levels of N (0 - 400 kg N ha-1) and P (0 - 400 kg P2O5 ha-1) fertilization. Field experiments (40°S 73°W) were conducted over a 3-yr period in a subhumid, Mediterranean climate on three distinct andisols that originated from volcanic ash, with pH values of 5.2 to 5.6. The forage dry matter yield, plant components (stem count, stem diameter, plant height, and... |