A review of research progress on cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.)

Abstract

. 2006. A review of research progress on cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.). Can. J. Plant Sci. 86: 49-62. This review of cicer milkvetch includes both published and unpublished information regarding crop and seed characteristics, seed treatments, breeding, agronomic practices and nutritional value for livestock. Cicer milkvetch is a long-lived perennial, acid-and drought-tolerant crop providing high-quality forage throughout the growing season. It does not cause bloat in ruminants. Although it has caused photosensitization in ruminants, this was apparently due to specific environmental conditions and the cultivar used. Cicer milkvetch is compatible with other forage crops in mixed stands and is particularly suitable for pasture. Although the crop has many good qualities and was introduced in North America approximately 75 yr ago, it has not been utilized extensively, primarily due to slow establishment. However, stand establishment has been improved by elucidation of seed and seedling characteristics, followed by selection for heavy seed, rate of emergence, and mature plant vigor. Improved cultivars, developed through recurrent selection for rapid establishment, are now available. Seed scarification, inoculation with rhizobia, and shallow seeding into a pre-packed, warm seedbed are of great importance in cicer milkvetch establishment. Seeding later in the spring (without a companion crop) increases the probability of successful establishment of genetically improved cultivars. Development of cultivars with upright growth characteristics and long-term persistence under grazing stress, improved scarification techniques (to reduce seed loss), and a seeding protocol for successful establishment of the crop, have the potential to substantially increase utilization of this important forage legume. Cette revue bibliographique englobe l'information connue et inédite sur les caractéristiques de la plante et de la graine, les traitements grainiers, l'hybridation, les pratiques agronomiques et la valeur nutritive de cette culture pour le bétail. L'astragale est une vivace longévive qui tolère bien les sols acides et la sécheresse; elle produit un fourrage de haute qualité pendant toute la période végétative. Elle n'entraîne pas le météorisme chez les ruminants. La photosensibilisation qu'elle engendre à l'occasion chez eux semble résulter de certaines conditions environnementales ainsi que du cultivar employé. L'astragale est compatible avec d'autres plantes fourragères dans les peuplements mixtes et se prête particulièrement bien aux pâturages. En dépit de ses nombreuses qualités et de son introduction en Amérique du Nord il y a près de 75 ans, l'astragale n'est pas énormément utilisée, principalement parce qu'elle prend du temps à s'implanter. On peut néan-moins améliorer l'établissement de la culture en triant les semences et les plantules d'après leurs propriétés puis en sélectionnant les plants pour une production abondante de graines, le taux de levée et la vigueur des plants adultes. On trouve désormais sur le ma...

Characterization and benefits of selenium uptake by an Astragalus hyperaccumulator and a non-accumulator

“…It is known only to inhabit seleniferous soils in the wild (Barneby 1964). Astragalus cicer L. is an Old World species that has been introduced to the United States as a forage crop, in part due to its lack of seleniferous habit and broad tolerance of edaphic and climatic conditions (Acharya et al 2006). The BOxley^ecotype used in this study that was first collected in the former USSR and introduced to the United States in 1971 (Acharya et al 2006).…”

Similar biotic factors affect early establishment and abundance of an invasive plant species across spatial scales

“…Although light availability, adult Lespedeza cover, and abundance (i.e., foliar cover and aboveground biomass) of other adult N-fixer species were all correlated with Lespedeza seedling establishment in both growing seasons, only light availability and other N-fixer abundance were important covariates in the ANCOVA model. Greater light availability for N-fixation and greater amounts of soil rhizobia surrounding N-fixer rhizosphere (Acharya et al 2006) can promote Lespedeza seedling survival by stimulating seedling growth rates.…”

Census, reproductive biology, and germination of Astragalus gines-lopezii (Fabaceae), a narrow and endangered endemic species of SW Spain

“…In most Fabaceae species, hard-seededness is the cause of the physical dormancy present in their seeds (Baskin and Baskin, 2001;Piotto and Di Noi, 2003;Zeng et al, 2005;Gresta et al, 2007;Can et al, 2009;Dittus and Muir, 2010;Kimura and Islam, 2012;Buyukkartal et al, 2013). Despite the relevance of the genus Astragalus, information on its germination characteristics is still partial and limited to a reduced number of Astragalus species (Acharya et al, 2006;Eisvand et al, 2006;Patane and Gresta, 2006;Kim et al, 2008;Martinez-Fernandez, 2012). Prior to this work, Ramos et al (2010) analyzed some germination characteristics of A. gines-lopezii seeds.…”