Breeding, Physiology, Culture, and Utilization of Cicer Milkvetch (Astragalus cicer L.)

Abstract

Publisher Summary Cicer milkvetch, a perennial nonbloating forage legume, is well adapted to many areas in the United States, Canada, and central and eastern Europe, including European Russia and the Caucasus. Progress has been made in the domestication of cicer milkvetch, and its use as a cultivated species should increase. It has great potential because of its strong perenniality, winter hardiness, apparent resistance to some insects that attack other species of forage legumes, nonbloating traits, relatively high forage yield, N2-fixing ability, and compatibility with cool-season perennial grasses. It is an ideal species for long-term pastures, meadows, and disturbed lands. Cicer milkvetch has relatively poor seedling vigor, but excellent stands can be obtained if properly scarified seeds are planted in a firm seedbed. When inoculated with the appropriate rhizobia bacteria, substantia amounts of N2 are fixed, as demonstrated by subsequent forage yields of the legume and companion grasses. Quality of its forage is excellent when measured by standard laboratory procedures. Cicer milkvetch, however, is not as palatable to livestock as the other more commonly used forage legumes. Although the appropriate practices for managing cicer milkvetch for hay or pasture have not been thoroughly investigated, it is evident that the practices used for alfalfa are not satisfactory. Because cicer milkvetch is slower to establish than most cultivated forage legumes, it needs one full growing season before cutting or grazing.