Publication Date
1985
Description
A program aimed at integrating rainfed crop and livestock production in West Asia and North Africa is described, where the objective is to introduce pasture and forage legumes in place of existing fallows. Research has identified that suitable species of Medicago, Pisum and Vicia are well adapted to the climatic conditions of North Syria. This article describes studies evaluating mixtures of common vetch (Vicia sativa) and forage peas (Pisum sativum) with barley, triticale and oats for hay production. Mixtures including the two legumes were also evaluated for early grazing by sheep followed by hay making in spring. In a third study the above legumes plus narbon vetch (V. narbonensis) and woolly pod vetch (V. dasycarpa) were compared for palatability. The mixtures increased herbage yield and improved the process of hay making. Common vetch the most palatable of all legumes in the green stage seems more suitable for hay making, while forage pea, a less palatable legume at grazing, seems more suitable to be included in legume-cereal mixtures for early grazing and hay making afterwards.
Citation
Osman, A E. and Nersoyan, N, "Annual Legumes for Integrating Rainfed Crop and Livestock Production" (2025). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 9.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1989/session14/9
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Annual Legumes for Integrating Rainfed Crop and Livestock Production
A program aimed at integrating rainfed crop and livestock production in West Asia and North Africa is described, where the objective is to introduce pasture and forage legumes in place of existing fallows. Research has identified that suitable species of Medicago, Pisum and Vicia are well adapted to the climatic conditions of North Syria. This article describes studies evaluating mixtures of common vetch (Vicia sativa) and forage peas (Pisum sativum) with barley, triticale and oats for hay production. Mixtures including the two legumes were also evaluated for early grazing by sheep followed by hay making in spring. In a third study the above legumes plus narbon vetch (V. narbonensis) and woolly pod vetch (V. dasycarpa) were compared for palatability. The mixtures increased herbage yield and improved the process of hay making. Common vetch the most palatable of all legumes in the green stage seems more suitable for hay making, while forage pea, a less palatable legume at grazing, seems more suitable to be included in legume-cereal mixtures for early grazing and hay making afterwards.
