Theme 20: Forages in Cropping Systems
Description
An experiment was conducted at northerly latitudes with berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L) in binary mixtures with oats (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack). The effects of cereal species, variety and density were assessed for a two cut harvest. Total dry matter yields were 11.7 to 14.5 t ha-1, with 7.8 to 10.2 t ha-1 as silage, and 2.0 to 6.0 t ha-1 as berseem regrowth. Berseem regrowth added an average of 4.0 t ha-1 in forage yield. Total yields did not differ with cereal type, but triticale mixtures had higher silage yields and lower regrowth yields than the other cereals. The silage yield of the ¼ triticale mixture had the best combination of high yield (10.2 t ha-1) and high berseem component (23%). Early maturity of the barley allowed for a longer period of regrowth. The full rate of cereals was too competitive and greatly suppressed berseem initial growth and regrowth. Reducing the cereal density to ¼ of the full rate, increased the percentage of berseem in yields, and increased the total yields of barley, AC Mustang oat and triticale mixtures. Intercropping of berseem clover with silage cereals shows promise as a means to extend the grazing season and increase total forage yields.
Citation
Ross, S. M. and King, J. R., "Berseem Clover in Binary Mixtures with Oats, Triticale or Barley for Silage and Late Season Grazing" (2021). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 4.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/19/20/4
Included in
Berseem Clover in Binary Mixtures with Oats, Triticale or Barley for Silage and Late Season Grazing
An experiment was conducted at northerly latitudes with berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L) in binary mixtures with oats (Avena sativa L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) and triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack). The effects of cereal species, variety and density were assessed for a two cut harvest. Total dry matter yields were 11.7 to 14.5 t ha-1, with 7.8 to 10.2 t ha-1 as silage, and 2.0 to 6.0 t ha-1 as berseem regrowth. Berseem regrowth added an average of 4.0 t ha-1 in forage yield. Total yields did not differ with cereal type, but triticale mixtures had higher silage yields and lower regrowth yields than the other cereals. The silage yield of the ¼ triticale mixture had the best combination of high yield (10.2 t ha-1) and high berseem component (23%). Early maturity of the barley allowed for a longer period of regrowth. The full rate of cereals was too competitive and greatly suppressed berseem initial growth and regrowth. Reducing the cereal density to ¼ of the full rate, increased the percentage of berseem in yields, and increased the total yields of barley, AC Mustang oat and triticale mixtures. Intercropping of berseem clover with silage cereals shows promise as a means to extend the grazing season and increase total forage yields.
