Criteria for the Registration of Medicago polymorpha L. and Lolium rigidum Gaud. Varieties in a Voluntary Register in Italy

Criteria for the Registration of Medicago polymorpha L. and Lolium rigidum Gaud. Varieties in a Voluntary Register in Italy

Extensive and semi-extensive livestock systems in Southern Europe rely largely on permanent pastures, the productivity of which could be improved by sowing adapted species. Native forage species are a valuable tool for Mediterranean livestock production, owing to their specific adaptation to the harsh environment (featuring prolonged and severe spring-summer drought) and their generally good tolerance to grazing. Annual, self-reseeding species are able to cope with the prevailing drought stress by terminating the vegetative phase and setting seed before the onset of the stressful period, and enhance the durability of the sward by their self-reseeding capacity and subsequent seedling regeneration. Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) and medics (annual Medicago spp.) among the legumes, and annual ryegrass (Lolium rigidum Gaud.) among the grasses, are the most exploited self-reseeding species for pasture establishment.