Fodder Galega—A Versatile Plant

Abstract

Fodder galega is a perennial, wintering plant, which in recent years has been gaining popularity, mainly because of its useful characteristics. Many researchers have noted its large yield potential and exceptional adaptability to various environmental conditions. The purpose of this study was to collect the most up-to-date knowledge about this valuable plant, a member of the Fabaceae family. Green fodder, especially that made from young plants, possesses very good biochemical parameters which allow it to be used in the nutrition of animals including poultry. Plantations of fodder galega can be set up on highly diverse soils, and in all systems of management. The yielding potential of this plant is appreciated on all farms: organic, extensive and conventional ones. Many scientific studies have demonstrated the usefulness of fodder galega for the protection of farmland that is periodically excluded from farming. In recent years, reports have been published suggesting the high potential of this plant for the acquisition of inexpensive energy from its biomass. Moreover, many scholars have emphasised the medicinal applications of fodder galega. The advantages of the cultivation of fodder galega are (1) its low nutritional requirements; (2) a lack of threats from the specialised pests; and (3) its positive effect on soil fertility. It is recommended that areas having undergone several years of fodder galega cultivation act as very good forecrop for plants with high nutritional requirements.

Fodder Galega vs. Alfalfa: Yield and Feed Value of Leaves, Stems, and Whole Plants

“…In this study, for the first time, a detailed analysis of the chemical composition of galega stems was performed. Previously, it had been indirectly assumed that length and diameter of galega stems equate to low nutritive value, and their use for non-fodder purposes had been suggested [39]. The current results fully confirm this assumption and justify the utility of fractionating the structural components of galega green forage during harvest [13].…”

Smooth Brome (Bromus inermis L.)—A Versatile Grass: A Review

“…Fallow land should be optimally seeded with a mixture of smooth brome, fodder galega or hybrid alfalfa. On fallow land, smooth brome and legume mixtures should be established at a 1:1 ratio, which increases biomass yields relative to grass monocultures and eliminates the need for fertilization [95]. Smooth brome and fodder galega mixtures on fallow land are effective preceding crops in the production of cereals and rapeseed.…”

НАКОПЛЕНИЕ ФОТОСИНТЕТИЧЕСКИХ ПИГМЕНТОВ И ВТОРИЧНЫХ МЕТАБОЛИТОВ В ЛИСТЬЯХ ГАЛЕГИ (Galega orientalis Lam.) СОРТА ГАЛЕ В ЗАВИСИМОСТИ ОТ ВОЗРАСТА ТРАВОСТОЯ И АГРОТЕХНОЛОГИИ ПРИ ИНТРОДУКЦИИ В ЗОНЕ СРЕДНЕЙ ТАЙГИ ЗАПАДНОЙ СИБИРИ

“…Возможности широкого использования галеги восточной во многом обусловлены ее биологическими особенностями, и в частности большим потенциалом урожайности и исключительной приспособляемостью к различным условиям окружающей среды (4). Естественная территория произрастания галеги восточной -Северный Кавказ и Закавказье (https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:495682-1) (5).…”

“…Подлежит оценке влияние удобрений и накопление микро-и макроэлементов, тяжелых металлов в биомассе галеги (78,79), также в качестве перспективных направлений выделяют изучение свойств корневой системы галеги восточной, позволяющих растениям лучше использовать питательные вещества, исследование влияния галеги как предшественника на урожайность сельскохозяйственных растений и определение ее пригодности в системе экстенсивного органического земледелия (3,4).…”