Forage characteristics of Vicia sativa L. and Trifolium resupinatum L. in catch crop systems under Central European conditions

Abstract

131Vicia sativa and Trifolium resupinatum are indigenous in the Mediterranean area and Asia (Mansfeld 1986). Both legumes are annual under Central European conditions (Uehling 1973) and are cultivated in a pure stand or in a mixture (Mansfeld 1986). Li�le information about the forage quality of V. sativa grown under European conditions (e.g. Wivstad et al. 1990) is available in contrast to the well-documented forage value of T. resupinatum (Puffe et al. 1984, Nonn 1988/1989. The voluntary intake of both, T. resupinatum (Ziegenbein 1965) and V. sativa, is high. Thomson et al. (1990) found a higher voluntary intake of V. sativa compared with other legumes such as Lathyrus sativus and Pisum sativum with a comparable digestibility. Compared with T. resupinatum the seed costs of V. sativa are nearly twice as high, but growing V. sativa in a mixture with grass or another supporting crop reduces the costs considerably. L. multiflorum gaudinii is apparently a suitable companion to the legumes. Its growth and quality aspects in pure stands are well documented (Herrmann 1999). The aim of this experiment was to analyse the performance of V. sativa in relation to dry ma�er yield and forage quality when compared with T. resupinatum and L. multiflorum gaudinii grown under Central European conditions as catch crops either in pure stand or in mixture at early and late sowing and harvest dates. MATERIAL AND METHODSIn order to determine the development of important quality aspects of V. sativa and T. resupinatum grown as catch crops in pure stand and in mixture with L. multiflorum gaudinii, a two year field experiment designed as a split plot with four replications (Table 1) was carried out near Giessen, Central Germany, 160 m above see level. The soil is a Pseudogley with a pH-value of 6.0. The meteorological data of July to March in both years of the study are shown in Figure 1. The weather station at Giessen gives mean annual rainfall and temperature values of 609 mm and 9.0°C. The summer and autumn of year 1 were warm and dry in contrast to spring and summer ABSTRACTIn a field experiment the development of dry ma�er yield and forage quality of the catch crop Vicia sativa L. compared with Trifolium resupinatum L. was investigated and the suitability for cultivation in a mixture with Lolium multiflorum ssp. gaudinii (Parl.) Schinz et Keller was tested. The legumes and mixtures sowed in early July or August, respectively, were harvested at different dates from early September until late October/early November. The sowing date had the greatest impact on dry ma�er yield, crude protein content and net energy for lactation (= NEL). Vicia sativa yielded more dry ma�er than Trifolium resupinatum, especially at low temperatures and under short-day conditions. At late sowing Vicia sativa should be preferred to Trifolium resupinatum due to a be�er stability of yield. Vicia sativa had a higher crude protein content but a lower NEL than Trifolium resupinatum. In a mixture with Lolium multiflorum the differences in energy concentration bet...

Nitrogen transfers from Vicia sativa L. and Trifolium resupinatum L. to the companion grass and the following crop

“…Concerning the annual legume catch crops Vicia sativa and Trifolium resupinatum and the grass species Lolium multiflorum ssp. gaudinii the factor sowing date is the main factor for yield (Opitz v. Boberfeld et al 2005). However, increased yield of all species by an early sowing date (= early July) is coupled with a more rapid senescence, followed by stagnant growth rates or -depending on weather conditions -decreasing yield from September to November.…”

“…The treatments are shown in Table 1. A detailed description of the experimental conditions and results on forage characteristics can be taken from Opitz v. Boberfeld et al (2005). The previous crop was Avena sativa harvested as green matter in both research years.…”

Simulation of the Collection of Catch Crops for the Recovery of Agricultural Resources using Geographic and Statistical Data

“…The use of cultivated catch crops is one of the most important factors for developing a practical catch-crop system in agricultural and agro-industrial communities. Harvested catch crops are often used as green manure (Piotrowska and Wilczewski 2012;Thorup-Kristensen et al 2012;Ghai et al 1988) or livestock feed (K€ alber et al 2011;Opitz von Boberfeld et al 2005) and for biogas production (Molinuevo-Salces et al 2013). Nagare et al (2012) experimented with the extraction of phosphorous, which is a limited and expensive mineral, from catch crops for the recovery of agricultural resources, and achieved high extraction rates of 80% or higher by soaking powdered biomass tissue in water; this suggests the possibility of nutrient recycling at a regional level using a simple processing facility.…”