Description
Annual forage legumes and non-leguminous forbs can be used to interseed into perennial forage grasses or as a short-term grazing option between row crop rotations. Diversification of cropping systems by increasing number or type of cover crops in crop rotation plays an important role in improving land-use efficiency and in promoting sustainable agriculture. Legumes and other broadleaf forages provide increased forage digestibility and crude protein as a result of their greater leaf-to-stem ratio. In the Southeast U.S, few novel cultivars have been released in the last 20 years, resulting in the reliance on only a few forage cultivars and species. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is the most used annual clover in forage mixtures as a result of its high early season productivity. Red clover (T. pratense L.) is also a high producing legume, growing as an annual in much of the Southeast. Ball (T. nigrescens Viv.) and arrowleaf (T. vesiculosum Savi) clovers are used to a much lower extent due to their inconsistent forage production in the Southeast. Other annual forage legumes such as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and winter pea (Pisum sativum L.) are becoming more commonly used in multi-species forage mixtures. While these forages are popular as cover crop species, reduced yields and lack of grazing tolerance has limited their used in forage systems. Non-leguminous forbs, such as Brassica spp., have increased production in Southeast forage systems tremendously. Research has shown that these forages can produce over 2000 kg DM/ha forage biomass within the first 45 days. Annual forage legumes and forbs are a critical component to any cool-season annual forage mixture in the Southeast. While a few species and cultivars are widely used, there is a critical need for more research needed in cultivar development and agronomic management of these species.
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Cool-season Annual Legumes and Forbs for Grazing and Cover Crop Systems
Annual forage legumes and non-leguminous forbs can be used to interseed into perennial forage grasses or as a short-term grazing option between row crop rotations. Diversification of cropping systems by increasing number or type of cover crops in crop rotation plays an important role in improving land-use efficiency and in promoting sustainable agriculture. Legumes and other broadleaf forages provide increased forage digestibility and crude protein as a result of their greater leaf-to-stem ratio. In the Southeast U.S, few novel cultivars have been released in the last 20 years, resulting in the reliance on only a few forage cultivars and species. Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is the most used annual clover in forage mixtures as a result of its high early season productivity. Red clover (T. pratense L.) is also a high producing legume, growing as an annual in much of the Southeast. Ball (T. nigrescens Viv.) and arrowleaf (T. vesiculosum Savi) clovers are used to a much lower extent due to their inconsistent forage production in the Southeast. Other annual forage legumes such as hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and winter pea (Pisum sativum L.) are becoming more commonly used in multi-species forage mixtures. While these forages are popular as cover crop species, reduced yields and lack of grazing tolerance has limited their used in forage systems. Non-leguminous forbs, such as Brassica spp., have increased production in Southeast forage systems tremendously. Research has shown that these forages can produce over 2000 kg DM/ha forage biomass within the first 45 days. Annual forage legumes and forbs are a critical component to any cool-season annual forage mixture in the Southeast. While a few species and cultivars are widely used, there is a critical need for more research needed in cultivar development and agronomic management of these species.
