Theme 02: Grass-Legume Mixtures
Description
Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.) is an alternative forage legume for rotational grazing in cool-season grass mixtures. However, compatibility with cool-season grasses is unknown. Seven cool-season perennial grasses were seeded into Kura clover in a rotational grazing experiment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate botanical composition, forage yield and quality of binary mixtures of cool-season grass with Kura clover. Field studies were conducted on a Nester (fine sandy loam) soil at Lake City Experiment Station, Lake City, MI. Botanical compositions in the first year of the study heavily favored grasses (avg. 74%) and Kura clover accounted for less than 20%. Crude protein (CP) concentration was negatively related with grass composition (r = -0.69**), however, positively related with Kura clover composition (r = 0.60**). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was superior in total forage yield and good forage quality, while reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was the least desirable species.
Citation
Jeranyama, P.; Leep, R. H.; and Dietz, T., "Compatibility of Kura Clover and Cool Season Grass Mixtures in Michigan" (2021). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 3.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/2/3
Included in
Compatibility of Kura Clover and Cool Season Grass Mixtures in Michigan
Kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum Bieb.) is an alternative forage legume for rotational grazing in cool-season grass mixtures. However, compatibility with cool-season grasses is unknown. Seven cool-season perennial grasses were seeded into Kura clover in a rotational grazing experiment. The objectives of this study were to evaluate botanical composition, forage yield and quality of binary mixtures of cool-season grass with Kura clover. Field studies were conducted on a Nester (fine sandy loam) soil at Lake City Experiment Station, Lake City, MI. Botanical compositions in the first year of the study heavily favored grasses (avg. 74%) and Kura clover accounted for less than 20%. Crude protein (CP) concentration was negatively related with grass composition (r = -0.69**), however, positively related with Kura clover composition (r = 0.60**). Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) was superior in total forage yield and good forage quality, while reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was the least desirable species.
