Performance of Kura clover compared to that of perennial forage legumes traditionally cultivated in central Europe. (17th August 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Andrzejewska, Jadwiga; Contreras-Govea, Francisco E.; Pastuszka, Anna; Albrecht, Kenneth A.
• Is Part Of: Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Volume 66:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 516
• Page End: 522
• Publication Date: 2016-08-17
• Subjects: Caucasian clover -- forage yield -- forage quality -- Sclerotinia trifoliorum;Trifolium ambiguum; Horticulture -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Crops and soils -- Periodicals; Plant-soil relationships -- Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.1080/09064710.2016.1184306
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0906-4710

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Kura clover ( Trifolium ambiguum M. Bieb.) is a rhizomatous perennial legume that is native to Caucasia, is extremely persistent in North America, but its performance has not been adequately evaluated in Europe. The objective of this research was to compare forage yield and nutritive value of Kura clover to lucerne ( Medicago sativa L.), red clover ( Trifolium pretense L.) and white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) at two locations in Poland. All clover stands thinned markedly by spring of the second production year because of infection by Sclerotinia crown and stem rot, but lucerne stands remained dense and this legume produced the highest total yield over 3 or 4 production years. Kura clover yields of 7.2–8.3 Mg ha −1 were second to lucerne by the third production year but long-term performance was diminished by stand thinning. Kura clover and white clover had lower fiber concentrations and greater protein concentrations and forage digestibility than red clover and lucerne. Kura clover can be a source of high-quality forage in Europe, but cannot be recommended for use in areas with known Sclerotinia trifoliorum presence until resistance to this pathogen is developed.