Performance of legume–grass mixtures in the West Balkan region. (2nd January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ćupina, Branko; Vujić, Svetlana; Krstić, Dorde; Djurić, Branko; Aliu, Sali; Manojlović, Maja; Čabilovski, Ranko; Lombnaes, Peder
• Is Part Of: Acta agriculturæ Scandinavica. Volume 67:Number 1(2017)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 11
• Publication Date: 2017-01-02
• Subjects: Forage quality -- forage yield -- mixtures -- perennial grasses -- perennial legumes; Horticulture -- Periodicals; Soil science -- Periodicals; Crops and soils -- Periodicals; Plant-soil relationships -- Periodicals; 630
• DOI: 10.1080/09064710.2016.1208268
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0906-4710

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Three perennial legumes (alfalfa, red clover and birdsfoot trefoil) and four cool-season perennial grasses (orchardgrass, tall fescue, Italian ryegrass and red fescue) were grown in legume–grass combinations and in pure stands of individual species, at three locations in the West Balkan region (Novi Sad, Banja Luka and Pristina) in the period from 2012 to 2015. The study evaluated dry matter yield, legume–grass–weed proportion and forage quality. High annual forage yield of legume–grass mixtures can be obtained with proper selection of species and an appropriate legume–grass ratio. However, high and stable yield, particularly in the case of grasses, depends on the amount and schedule of precipitation as well as the cutting time. The mixtures and legume pure stands achieved better forage production both per cutting and on the annual basis and had better forage quality than grass pure stands.