The morphologicalcharacteristics of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Nui), cocksfoot(Dactylis glomerata cv. Vision) and red clover (Trifolium pratensecv. Pawera) in response to four shade levels (0, 25, 50 and 75%) and two shadepatterns (continuous and alternate) were assessed in three growth periods (establishment,first regrowth and second regrowth), in New Zealand, to evaluate the adaptationof different species to changes in the light environment. The experiment wasconducted in a randomized complete block design, with three replications, betweenJanuary and October, 2004. Most of the morphological measurements were affectedby the shade levels. The specific leaf area was the morphological variable thatmost consistently varied in response to shade levels, presenting an averageincrease between 22 and 79% among the forage species. The morphological adaptationsof cocksfoot were the most related to shade tolerance, whereas for perennialryegrass they were more related to the expansion of its individual leaf area.The 25 - 50% shade range can be considered the range of highest morphologicalacclimation of forages to offset light constraint.
