Five‐Year Forage Dynamics Arising from Four Legume–Grass Seed Mixes

Abstract

Core Ideas Mixtures of legumes and grasses were dynamic in composition over time. Forage mixtures with more legume had less biomass but had stable protein yield. Alfalfa persisted better than clover, and was favored when grown with bunchgrasses. When grown with meadow brome, alfalfa biomass in mixtures was 18 to 42% after 5 yr. Species identity regulated forage productivity more than the proportion legume seeded. To evaluate the comparative role of different legume–grass mixtures on long‐term forage yield, alfalfa (AL) (Medicago sativa L.) or clover (CL) (Trifolium sp.) were seeded at two sites in various combinations (0, 11, 22, 33, 67, or 100 kg 100 kg−1 of mix) with either rhizomatous grasses (smooth brome [Bromus inermis Leyss.] and Kentucky bluegrass [Poa pratensis L.]) or the bunchgrass meadow brome [Bromus riparius Rehmann]) to determine forage yield, quality, and legume persistence over 5 yr. Peak herbage yields were similar among swards initially seeded with 11 to 33 kg 100 kg−1 legumes, and occurred during the first 3 yr. Pure legume swards were slow to reach maximum biomass and increased crude protein yield (CPY) throughout the study. Regardless of companion grass identity, alfalfa‐based swards had more biomass and CPY than those containing clover. The proportion of alfalfa in mixed swards stabilized after 4 to 5 yr, and both legumes had greater abundance when grown with the bunchgrass rather than rhizomatous grasses. Although alfalfa was suppressed by rhizomatous grasses, their combined biomass was greater than in alfalfa–bunchgrass mixes, leading to similar CPY. Clover did not persist beyond 3 yr. The primary benefit of legumes in mixtures was an improvement in forage quality (i.e., CPY) rather than biomass. When establishing forage, species identity was critical to short‐term forage maximization, as was the presence of both legumes and grasses. In contrast, the relative proportion of legumes and grass at seeding had less influence on long‐term forage availability.

Grass–Legume Forage Systems Effect on Phosphorus Removal from a Grassland Historically Irrigated with Reclaimed Wastewater

“…While the production environment (year) is a critical factor in forage growth and productivity, the short duration of this study makes it difficult to truly gauge the impact of year on herbage accumulation of the different forage systems. In supporting evidence of our view, Bork et al [50] reported that the maximum yield of grass-legume mixtures was obtained two to three years after seeding. Therefore, our discussion revolves more greatly around the differences in forage accumulation, tissue P concentration, and P removal among forage systems tested.…”

“…Hence, we surmised that the legumes had a faster rate of establishment and stability in this study environment compared to the grass monocultures and the grass-legume mixtures similar to the observation made by Aponte et al [37]. However, contrary to our assumption of the legumes in this study, Bork et al [50] reported that legumes (alfalfa and clover) were slow to reach maximum biomass production relative to the grasses. While the production environment (year) is a critical factor in forage growth and productivity, the short duration of this study makes it difficult to truly gauge the impact of year on herbage accumulation of the different forage systems.…”

Pasture rejuvenation using sainfoin and cicer milkvetch in western Canada

“…Our interest to develop legume or legume–grass pasture is motivated by several benefits associated with legume‐based pasture. Studies have indicated higher economic returns on polycultures including perennial legumes over grass monocultures because of their ability to persist longer at a peak dry matter (DM) production level (Bork, Gabruck, McLeod, & Hall, 2017; Ludemann, Jacobs, & Smith, 2015; Malcolm, Smith, & Jacobs, 2014). Cattle also showed preference to legumes over grasses (Boland et al., 2011; Rutter, 2006), and average daily gain (ADG) of cattle on legume‐based pasture was found to be greater than on pure grass pasture (Villalba, Cabassu, & Gunter, 2015).…”

“…Cattle also showed preference to legumes over grasses (Boland et al., 2011; Rutter, 2006), and average daily gain (ADG) of cattle on legume‐based pasture was found to be greater than on pure grass pasture (Villalba, Cabassu, & Gunter, 2015). Forage mass, nutritive value, and crude protein (CP) concentration of legume alone or legume–grass mixtures was greater than grass monocultures or grass mixtures (Adjesiwor, Islam, Zheljazkov, Ritten, & Garcia y Garcia, 2017; Bork et al., 2017; Brink, Casler, & Hall, 2007; Brink, Sanderson, & Casler, 2015; Picasso, Brummer, Liebman, Dixon, & Wilsey, 2008; Schmid, Hector, Saha, & Loreau, 2008; Sleugh, Moore, George, & Brummer, 2000). Despite the higher seasonal biomass yield distribution of binary mixture of legume and grass over grass or legume monocultures (Sleugh et al., 2000, Sturludóttir et al., 2014), herbage digestibility was not compromised (Sturludóttir et al., 2014).…”

Determi̇nati̇on of Forage Performance of Some Meadow Bromegrass (Bromus Ri̇pari̇us L. ) Clones i̇n Thrace Regi̇on of Turkey.

“…It also mixes well with grasses such as tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbyshand) and orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) (Robins and Jensen, 2017;Bork et al, 2017).…”