Introduction Of Legumes Research Articles

Grain production of wheat (Triticum aestivum), and nitrogen and phosphorus balance sheet in soil under sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) cowpea (Vigna unguicu1ata) wheat crop sequence

A 2 year (1995 96 and 1996 97) field experiment showed that grain and straw yields of wheat (Triticum aestivum L. emend. Fiori Paol.) were maximum when grown after sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (C) Walp.] (F), followed by cowpea grain (SI) and these were found to be significantly higher than after sole crop of sorghum (F.) Phosphorus applied to previous rainy season crops up to 30 kglha and direct applied N to wheat up to 75 kglha helped in inireasing the grain and straw yields of wheat in both the years. The nitrogen, phosphorus and organic carbori (%) of soil improved owing to legume introduction in the cropping systems. The net returns and benefit :cost ratio from sorghum cowpea (F) wheat sequence were maximum, while sorghum (F) wheat sequence gave least net returns.

Long-term yield patterns in barley-based cropping systems in Northern Syria. 3. Barley monocropping

Results from monocropped barley treatments in long-term rotation (RTN) and continuous barley (CB) trials at two sites were examined for fertilizer effects on yield means and long-term yield trends. In RTN trials, mean responses to fertilizer (N[ratio ]P2O5) applied annually at rates of 20[ratio ]60 at the drier and 40[ratio ]60 at the wetter site were almost double those from biennial application, confirming the need for annual fertilization in monocropped barley systems. In CB trials, with N and P applied annually in nine factorial combinations, at rates up to 120[ratio ]90, responses to each nutrient were curvilinear and dependent on the presence of the other nutrient. Trend analysis showed a decline in grain yields over time where NP fertilizer had not been applied or applied only at low annual rates (< 60[ratio ]45 or < 60[ratio ]90, according to site); but straw yields, at worst, remained approximately stable in the absence of fertilizer and generally increased strongly with higher NP rates. Uncertainties in the interpretation of trend-analysis results indicate the need for methodology improvements, to include (i) additional single-value parameters of the growth environment, to improve the model's ability to account for seasonal variability, and (ii) a more flexible, non-linear function for time.It was concluded that barley monocropping is not necessarily non-sustainable in the medium term, provided adequate annual fertilization is maintained; but risks of pest or disease build-up, in addition to the superiority of legume-barley systems in biomass and crude protein output demonstrated in preceding papers, undoubtedly favour the introduction of some forage legumes into long-term barley sequences. The most practicable (and acceptable) systems may well be ones in which continuous barley is interrupted by a legume, or even a bare fallow, every third or fourth year. Above all, farmers should be helped to experiment with different forage legumes, barley–legume sequences, and modes of legume harvest, to optimize outputs in relation to their evolving and individual enterprise needs.

Rehabilitation of degraded grasslands in north Syria: use of farmer participatory research to encourage the sowing of annual pasture legumes

A series of experiments on communally-owned grasslands in the barley–livestock zone of north Syria were conducted to test the hypothesis that introduction of Mediterranean annual legumes will increase productivity. The experiments were preceded by a survey to determine farmers' attitudes, describe the farming systems and to select appropriate collaborators. The first experiment examined the establishment of medics (Medicago spp.) and clovers (Trifolium spp.) distributed by hand, and monitored their effects on biomass and seedbank size. Later experiments extended these results to other villages. The principles of farmer participation in research were used to overcome the constraints imposed by the communal ownership of land. The survey revealed that the average size of the 20 villages was 36 families and that each village owned 887 sheep and 790 ha land. All villages had access to communally-owned grasslands, although their dependence on income from sheep varied greatly. These villages were subsequently divided into groups of high, intermediate and low potential.Of the 11 clovers sown in the first experiment, seed numbers of T. tomentosum, T. purpureum, T. haussknechtii, T. pilulare and T. resupinatum increased over three years. By 1996, there were more than 3000 legume seeds m−2 in the seeded treatment compared with less than 2000 in the unseeded treatment (mainly the naturally-occurring Trigonella monspeliaca). The number of medic and clover seedlings also increased significantly, while the number of Trigonella seedlings decreased significantly. Biomass production increased in the final two years and there was no response to added phosphorus.There were similar results in the later experiments. Seedbank size was greater in seeded treatments than in unseeded treatments, there were more seedlings in the seeded treatments, and the most successful species were T. campestre, T. tomentosum, T. speciosum and M. rigidula. The response in biomass was limited to the legume component, although total biomass increased in at least one of the two years. The highest biomass produced was 1112 kg ha−1 and there was no response to added phosphorus.The results suggested that the on-station research previously conducted at ICARDA headquarters was applicable to communally-owned land, although important modifications were needed. For example, at ICARDA phosphorus was necessary to stimulate the growth of legumes; in contrast, it was necessary to sow legumes at the four villages involved in these experiments. The results also suggested that the grasslands were common property, owned and controlled by defined groups of farmers.

Benefits of Integration of Cereals and Forage Legumes With and Without Crossbred Cows in Mixed Farms: An ex ante Analysis for Highland Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Poverty, low crop and animal productivity and large-scale resource degradation are major problems in the agriculture sector in the East African highlands. Among others, integration of forage legumes in cereal based cropping systems has been proposed as a promising strategy to improve the sustainability of smallholder farming systems through increased crop and livestock productivity and better soil management. Using experimental data from Ethiopia and elsewhere in the region, linear programming models have been used to determine the economic impacts of cereal-forage legume inter-cropping with and without crossbred cows for a typical highland mixed farm. An important feature of the model was that the benefits of inter-cropping in terms of nitrogen fixation and the better nutrition of animals were accounted for. Model results demonstrate that the introduction of forage legumes with cereals changes cropping pattern significantly, but does not significantly change the use pattern of principal farm resources, labor and ox power. Introduction of cereal-forage legume inter-cropping significantly increases gross margin and cash income, and the introduction of crossbred cows enhances these returns even further. Inter-cropping also significantly increases the share of livestock in farm and cash income when crossbred cows are included. Sensitivity analyses show that the improved technologies remain more profitable than current practices even when there is a substantial decrease in price of outputs. The results indicate that the improved production technologies should be widely tested under actual farm conditions under farmer management through on-farm research and extension. Benefits of intercropping in terms of weed control and control of soil erosion should be quantified in future research.

Effect of Time of Harvest of Vetch (Vicia sativa L.) on Yields of Subsequent Barley in a Dry Mediterranean Environment

The introduction of annual feed legumes into the intensifying systems of barley monocropping in dry-area Mediterranean agriculture would reduce pest and disease risk and increase sustainable productivity. Potential modes of legume utilization by small ruminants - as green grazing, hay, or mature grain and straw - imply different times of harvest removal with possible consequences for the subsequent barley crop. In nine two-year trials, barley following green-grazed common vetch (Vicia sativa) always outyielded barley following vetch cut as hay or harvested at maturity, albeit in some years by small and non-significant margins; mean differences in barley grain and straw yields between green-graze and mature vetch treatments were around 20 %. The main mechanisms implicated are carryover to the barley of small amounts of soil water unused by early-harvested vetch and enhanced nitrogen availability where active vetch root systems were killed by removal of the above-ground crop.

Improvement of native grassland by legumes introduction and tillage techniques

Improvement of native grassland by legumes introduction and tillage techniques Improvement of native grassland by legumes introduction and tillage techniques A factorial design using three species of legumes (Siratro, Centro and Stylo) and three different of tillage techniques (no-tillage, minimum tillage and total tillage) was applied in this experiment. The results showed that there was no interaction between species and tillage techniques. There was significant reductions on bulk density from 1.23±0.03 g/cm 3 (no-tillage) to 1.07±0.02 g/cm 3 (minimum tillage) and 1.05±0.03 g/cm 3 (total tillage). Also reductions on penetration resistance from 17.47±3.84 kg/cm 2 (no-tillage) to 3.31±0.43 kg/cm 2 (minimum tillage) and 3.19±0.45 kg/cm 2 (total tillage). Otherwise significant increasing on aeration porosity from 12.80±0.80% vol. (no-tillage) to 21.70±0.95% vol. (minimum tillage) and 20.70±0.35% vol. (total tillage). Total tillage gives increased dry matter yield. Also both total tillage and minimum tillage give yields with a higher percentage of legumes compared with no-tillage. It was concluded that total tillage and minimum tillage could be used for improving native grassland. Key words : Improvement, native grassland, legumes, tillage techniques

Litter deposition and disappearance in Brachiaria pastures in the Atlantic forest region of the South of Bahia, Brazil

Over the last 25 years more than 70 million ha of the native vegetation in Brazil have been replaced by pastures for beef production planted to grasses of the genus Brachiaria, and to a lesser extent Andropogon gayanus, both of African origin. Some years after implantation, these pastures decline in productivity, probably due to low availability of P, and immobilisation of N in the soil due to the large quantities of senescent leaves (litter) of high C:N ratio deposited on the soil surface. In this paper we report the effects of the introduction of a forage legume (Desmodium ovalifolium) and different animal stocking rates on the deposition and decomposition of plant litter in pastures of Brachiaria humidicola at a site in the coastal Atlantic forest region of the south of Bahia State (Brazil). Litter existing on the ground, and that deposited in 14-day periods, was monitored at monthly intervals during 3 years of the study. Doubling the stocking rate from 2 to 4 animals ha-1 caused a highly significant decrease in litter deposition, but the presence of the legume in the sward had little effect. Calculations made directly from the quantities of litter deposited in the 14-day periods showed that between 15 and 18 tons of litter dry matter (dm) were deposited annually, but the relatively small quantities of existing litter (annual means of 0.8 to 1.5 t dm ha-1), showed that decomposition was rapid, showing values for half life of between 22 and 33 days. This technique was assumed to underestimate true litter disappearance rates, as with such rapid decomposition a significant proportion of the litter disappeared within the 14-day collection periods. An equation was developed to correct for this loss of litter during the collection periods and corrected litter decomposition constants of 0.037 to 0.097 g g-1 day-1 were recorded resulting in half lives of between 9 and 20 days. Using these data and adding them to estimates of animal consumption the net aerial primary productivity (NAPP) of the pastures ranged from 28 to 34 t dry matter ha-1 yr-1. Experiments with litter bags, and a "covered litter" system which allowed access of soil fauna to the litter, indicated that soil faunal activity had little impact on litter disappearance and such techniques underestimated true litter decomposition by at least an order of magnitude. We suggest that this underestimation is due to the fact, that in contrast to litter bags, in the open field situation fresh litter is being added continuously. As this material consists of both easily degradable ("active") and recalcitrant fractions, the easily degradable fraction fuels an active microbial biomass which continuously degrades the less decomposable material. It is concluded that the approach used in this study gives more realistic, and much higher estimates, of net primary aerial production of tropical grasslands and pastures than techniques heretofore utilised.

In vitro digestibility of tropical legumes: tannin content and relationship between determinations made using the Tilley and Terry and pressure transducer techniques

A significant portion of ruminant production in the tropics relies on the grazing of native grasses growing in acid, low-fertility soils. Under these conditions, animal production is generally limited by the low quality and availability of forage supply. The introduction of forage legumes into grazing systems is commonly accepted as a way to alleviate this problem. However, many of the tropical forage legumes adapted to acid soils and selected on the basis of good agronomic performance have limited feeding value. This could be associated with increased production of secondary metabolites such as condensed tannins (CT), which have the ability to bind and precipitate proteins, carbohydrates and other molecules (Mueller-Harvey and McAllan, 1992). High intake of CT by ruminants has been associated with depressed intake and reduced digestibilities of protein and cell wall of temperate (Barry and Duncan, 1984; Pritchard et al, 1988) and tropical (Carulla, 1994) forage legumes. However, more recent work showed that intake and digestibility of tropical legumes was not only influenced by CT concentration but also by cell wall content (Barahona et al, 1997). In the ongoing process of identifying legume germplasm for acid soils, the use of in vitro techniques has been of great benefit. Gas production methods have considerable appeal in this respect due to their ability to evaluate digestion kinetics and their potential to simulate digestion processes in the rumen. Pendong et al. (1996) using temperate forages, showed that the pressure transducer gas technique of Theodorou et al. (1994) could be used to assess digestible organic matter disappearance as well as fermentation kinetics. A similar assessment was undertaken in the current study in which the tannin contents and cell-wall characteristics of tanniniferous legumes from Colombia were determined and related using measurements made in laboratories in Colombia and the United Kingdom.

The contribution of biological nitrogen fixation for sustainable agricultural systems in the tropics

The pressing need to increase food production in the tropics to feed the burgeoning population of the Third World requires that crop yields ha −1 must be increased without prejudicing the resource base for future generations. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), especially that associated with legumes, has great potential to contribute to productive and sustainable agricultural systems for the tropics, but more research is required to investigate how biologically fixed N, and the increased BNF contributions resulting from research innovations, can be incorporated into viable agricultural systems to increase crop or pasture yields and to substitute N fertiliser inputs. A majority of the soils of the humid and semi-humid tropics have mineral fractions composed of 1:1 lattice clays or sesquioxides of relatively low capacity to retain nutrients (CEC) and water (WHC). It is the soil organic matter (SOM) which has high CEC (after liming) and WHC, and soils under undisturbed climax vegetation are usually high in organic matter which is responsible for their fertility. The key to the long term fertility of such soils is to maintain their soil organic matter by the preservation of crop residues and the selection of suitable crop rotations or fallows. In this review we examine several types of agricultural systems utilised in the tropics ranging from pastures, ley cropping, zero-till rotations as well as green manuring and discuss the management options that can be adopted to preserve their agricultural productivity through the strategic use of legumes in these systems, and their effects on pasture and crop yields. The introduction of forage legumes into tropical pastures can increase and sustain their productivity, with only modest inputs of lime and P and K fertilisers. Similarly, crop and pasture rotations (ley cropping) maintain SOM and soil fertility and crop yields can benefit greatly from the introduction of pasture legumes into the ley. Continuous cropping under minimum or zero tillage can maintain soil cover, and stimulate the retention of SOM, such that nutrient losses are often minimal, and legume derived N can be efficiently transferred to subsequent crops. The options for the resource-poor small-holder to efficiently utilise biologically fixed N as a N supply for cereal grains are more limited and need more attention from researchers as well as less neglect from government organisations. The addition of lime and P fertiliser in modest quantities in many under-developed regions could make large contributions to increased crop yields. If such modest fertiliser inputs were to be combined with suitable crop rotations including green manure or grain legume crops, larger increases in crops yields could be achieved on a sustainable basis, but in many regions agricultural extension services are non-existent and poor farmers have little access to even these basic chemical inputs.

Legumes in low‐input perennial pastures of southern Australia: Historical role and future development

Abstract This review deals with the role of legumes in native and low‐input perennial pastures in temperate Australia. It draws on lessons learnt from the problems associated with legume dominance and proposes development and management strategies to ensure a sustainable role for legumes in pasture systems in the future. The low‐input syndrome is defined in geographical and management terms, and the historical role of legumes in pasture development/decline in the higher‐rainfall zone of eastern Australia is summarised. In general, while the loss of perennial native grasses is often attributed to the introduction of a vigorous legume, other factors such as invasion of annual (Mediterranean) grasses and broad‐leaf species, and the lack of appropriate grazing strategies must also share a significant responsibility for the decline in these species. The proposed characteristics of a stable, low‐input pasture system are: a diverse range of species; a high degree of botanical stability; an economic level of production; and, efficient use of resources. The primary roles of legumes in low‐input pasture systems are to maintain or increase soil nitrogen (N) levels, and to ensure pastures produce at an economically viable level without incurring major shifts in botanical composition. Suggested strategies for developing legumes specifically for low‐input pastures include: selecting more persistent cultivars/ species whether annuals or perennials; selecting legumes which are more phosphate (P) efficient and function at lower P levels found in low‐input systems; evaluating the ability of legume species to add N to the systems; and, ensuring that cultivar development takes place under realistic sward conditions. The need for a better understanding of legume ecology in low‐input perennial grass systems was identified as an important step in developing more stable low‐input systems.

Four unnamed species of nonsymbiotic rhizobia isolated from the rhizosphere of Lotus corniculatus.

Previously, we found that genetically diverse rhizobia nodulating Lotus corniculatus at a field site devoid of naturalized rhizobia had symbiotic DNA regions identical to those of ICMP3153, the inoculant strain used at the site (J. T. Sullivan, H. N. Patrick, W. L. Lowther, D. B. Scott, and C. W. Ronson, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 92:8985-8989, 1995). In this study, we characterized seven nonsymbiotic rhizobial isolates from the rhizosphere of L. corniculatus. These included two from plants at the field site sampled by Sullivan et al. and five from plants at a new field plot adjacent to that site. The isolates did not nodulate Lotus species or hybridize to symbiotic gene probes but did hybridize to genomic DNA probes from Rhizobium loti. Their genetic relationships with symbiotic isolates obtained from the same sites, with inoculant strain ICMP3153, and with R. loti NZP2213T were determined by three methods. Genetic distance estimates based on genomic DNA-DNA hybridization and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis were correlated but were not consistently reflected by 16S rRNA nucleotide sequence divergence. The nonsymbiotic isolates represented four genomic species that were related to R. loti; the diverse symbiotic isolates from the site belonged to one of these species. The inoculant strain ICMP3153 belonged to a fifth genomic species that was more closely related to Rhizobium huakuii. These results support the proposal that nonsymbiotic rhizobia persist in soils in the absence of legumes and acquire symbiotic genes from inoculant strains upon introduction of host legumes.

Quantification of the contribution of N 2 fixation to tropical forage legumes and transfer to associated grass

Pastures, mainly dedicated to beef cattle production, occupy approximately 300 million ha of the savanna regions of South America. The productivity of the pasture grasses is principally limited by the availability of P and N, and in the latter case it is rarely economically viable to apply N fertilizer. The introduction of pasture legumes into these pastures is seen as the best strategy to improve N nutrition of the grasses despite the difficulties to be overcome with persistence of the legume in the sward. The benefit to productivity comes not only from the improved quality of the animal diet when the legume is consumed, but also the N transferred to the grass in the litter and decaying roots of the legume, and there may be some direct transfer of fixed N from legume to grass. In our study the 15N isotope dilution (ID) and total N difference techniques were employed to quantify the contribution of biological N 2 fixation (BNF) to seven different tropical forage legumes and possible transfer of fixed N to the grass Brachiaria brizantha with three of them (a Centrosema hybrid, Galactia striata and Desmodium ovalifolium) in mixed swards. Amongst the legumes, Stylosanthes guianensis was found to obtain the largest contribution from BNF (between 75–97 kg N ha −1 in 97 days of growth), and kudzu ( Pueraria phaseoloides) and D. ovalifolium were found to have a more limited capacity to obtain N from this source. In the mixed swards the 15N data suggested that over 30% of the N accumulated by the grass could be derived from N fixed by the associated legume, but these estimates should be treated with caution as the results suggested that there may be serious errors associated with the use of the 15N ID technique in the field to estimate this transfer of fixed N from legume to associated grass.

Hill-Pasture Renovation Using Phosphate Rock and Stocking with Sheep and Goats

The introduction of legumes to hill-pasture may be complicated by plant competition and soil chemical and physical limitations. The existing undesirable plant community must be modified before enhanced productivity can be realized. In many cases, soil phosphorus is limiting to legume growth. A study was conducted to determine the effect of phosphate rock, over-seeding birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) and stocking with goats (Capra hircus hircus) and sheep (Ovis spp.) upon the floristic composition and productivity of hill-pasture. Treatments included: stocked only, stocking with overseeding with 0, 45, 90, or 180 lb P as phosphate rocklacre, and an untreated (not stocked or fertilized with phosphate rock) control. Treatments were replicated three times in a randomized block design on a steep (30% slope) site with a Dekalb series soil (loamy-skeletal, mixed, mesic Typic Dystrochrept). Goats and sheep were effective in controlling most tall-growing forbs and brush on abandoned hill-pasture. The presence of yellow crownbeard (Verbesina Occidentalis L.), a toxic weed species, increased since neither goats nor sheep consumed the plant. Control of this weed is essential if hill-pasture improvement is to succeed. Birdsfoot trefoil alone improved dry matter production by 34% and, in combination with phosphate rock, improved production by 78% over stocked controls. Phosphate rock application increased surface strata plant-available P and the presence and dry matter yield of birdsfoot trefoil in oversown plots. Birdsfoot trefoil and phosphate rock significantly improved the productivity of hill-pastureand appear to be a viable low-input option for hill-land pasture improvement. Research Question Phosphate rock was used in the past in row crop production situations with limited success. Phosphate rock may be more appropriate for use in perennial plant production situations since P release is a function of solubility and is dependent upon acid soil environments for enhanced solubility. Our objective was to determine if stocking with goats (used to control weeds), phosphate rock application, and overseeding birds-foot trefoil could bring about a change in the floristic composition of hill-pasture with acidic soil, leading to improved productivity. Literature Summary Unmanaged hill-pastures abound in the Appalachian Region of the eastern USA. The floristic community becomes dominated by non-pastoral species of low productivity or quality. The plant community must be improved before enhanced production efficiency can be realized. In many cases, topographic or economic constraints limit mechanized or chemical renovation options. Livestock such as goats can be effective brush and weed control agents. Once the canopy competition is reduced, desirable plants, including legumes, can flourish. Legumes can then theoretically supply the N which limits hill-pasture productivity. Furthermore, successful production of legumes in Appalachian soils depends upon an adequate supply of phosphorus. Study Description The experiment was conducted from 1989 through 1992 in southern West Virginia (2800 ft elevation). Replicated (3) plots were established on a northeast facing slope (30%) on Dekalb soil (eroded, loamy skeletal, mixed, mesic Typic Dystrochrept). A wide range of plants including grasses, forbs, and brush occurred across the site. Four rates of phosphate rock (0, 45, 90, and 180 lb/acre) were applied to plots oversown with birdsfoot trefoil. Controls received no phosphate rock and were: a) excluded from stocking, b) stocked only, or c) stocked and oversown. No other chemical fertilizer or herbicides were used. Applied Question Can stocking with goats and sheep, application of phosphate rock and overseeding birdsfoot trefoil be used as a hill-pasture renovation technique in the Appalachian region? Goats effectively controlled tall-growing weeds allowing light to reach the base of the canopy. Grasses became the primary component of the flora making the pasture suitable for sheep and cattle grazing. Animals refused to consume a known toxic weed, yellow crownbeard, and enabled it to flourish. Effective methods must be developed to control yellow crownbeard if pasture renovation in the region is to succeed. Application to phosphate rock contributed to increased herbage productivity and supported an increased legume component in the sward. Surface application of less than 180 lb/acre phosphate rock is unlikely to have a significant influence on soil P availability. Birdsfoot trefoil over-seeding resulted in a 34% increase in herbage dry matter yield, and overseeding in combination with phosphate rock resulted in a 78% increase in yield over controls. Regular defoliation (through grazing) is required to maintain a desirable floristic composition.

Studies on the Introduction, Agro-physiological Characteristics, and Utilization of the Tropical Grain Legumes and Groundnut

Studies on the Introduction, Agro-physiological Characteristics, and Utilization of the Tropical Grain Legumes and Groundnut

Sheep and goat production in upland Baluchistan, Pakistan

Studies based on formal and informal survey information identified major production constraints and suggested research and extension activities. The industry is set within a harsh climatic environment and is characterized by small flocks obtaining most of their feed from relatively unproductive rangeland. Most flocks are poorly-managed secondary enterprises and are used as a store of wealth rather than as a commercial business. Major constraints to improved sheep and goat productivity are: (1) poor nutrition because of the low productivity of the rangelands and non-availability of economic supplemental feeds, (2) disease and parasite problems because of limited veterinary coverage, (3) poor flock management, (4) poor credit, marketing and transportation infrastructure, (5) no range management or control on the common tribal rangelands, and (6) poor breeding selection and genetic potential. Suggestions for research and extension activities include: (1) introduction of perennial legumes, cool season grasses, and shrub reserves to rehabilitate the rangeland, (2) grazing studies on number and kinds of animals and appropriate seasons of use, (3) dryland fodder production combining new forage species, fertilizer, and water harvesting, (4) increasing the nutritive value of crop residues and the use of non-conventional feeds, (5) extension programs to facilitate farmers to vaccinate and dip their animals, (6) credit and infrastructural improvement, (7) increasing the genetic potential of the animals. Socio-economic comparative advantage and marketing research is needed to determine how the industry might evolve in the future.

The effects of native grass cover, species, herbicide and sowing method on legume establishment on the northern slopes of New South Wales

The effects of sowing method (direct drilling or broadcasting), level of cover of native grass and pre-sowing herbicide application on pasture legume introduction were evaluated from 1984 to 1987 at a low elevation (425 m) site on the Northern Slopes of New South Wales. Two perennial (Medicago sativa cv. CUF101 and Onobrychis viciijolia cv. Eski) and 3 annual legumes (Trifolium subterraneum ssp. brachycalycinum cv. Clare; M. truncatula cv. Sephi; Vicia villosa ssp. dasycarpa cv. Namoi) were sown each year from 1984 to 1986. Seedling establishment was measured 3-4 months after sowing, and where possible, the dry matter yields of the sown legume were also estimated. Seedling regeneration was measured in 1987 and the yield of legumes sown in 1985 was determined in 1986. All species failed to establish under the dry conditions experienced in 1984. In subsequent years seedling numbers of the annuals were higher than those of the perennials. Direct drilling increased establishment of all species compared with broadcasting. The provision of a large amount of cover by the resident native grasses (4.6-7 t/ha of dry matter, 0.6-0.7 In in height) also substantially increased seedling establishment in cvv. Clare, Sephi and CUFlO1. None of the treatments used were successful in establishing cv. Eski. Herbicide application prior to sowing did not significantly affect seedling numbers in the establishment year but resulted in higher numbers of seedlings regenerating in subsequent years, particularly in cv. Sephi. Seedling regeneration of the annuals was also increased (P<0.05) by direct drilling into moderate or high levels of vegetative cover. Dry matter yields of all sown species except cv. Namoi were low, and the environment was difficult for legume survival and production. This was attributed mainly to the variable rainfall that occurs at this low elevation, while for lucerne high summer temperatures probably affected its performance.

Response of seven hardwood tree species to herbicide, rototilling, and legume cover at two southern Quebec plantation sites

Two experimental plantations of valuable hardwoods were established in southern Quebec, at the northern limit of the North American deciduous forest, to examine the effects of three weed control treatments on the growth of tree seedlings. Treatments of herbicide, rototilling, and sowing of a legume cover (Lotuscorniculatus L. and Trifoliumrepens L.) were applied to seven tree species (Fraxinusamericana L., Juglansnigra L., Prunusserotina Ehrh., Quercusalba L., Quercusmacrocarpa Michx., Quercusrubra L., Tiliaamericana L.). A control treatment, retaining existing herbaceous vegetation, was also included. After three growing seasons tree growth was highest in the herbicide and rototilling treatments. Improved growth was associated with high foliar nitrogen, and sometimes phosphorus, content. The growth gains provided by weed control were reduced on the site with the poorest soil drainage. Despite the introduction of herbaceous legumes, the weed biomass increased during the first 2 years, and tree growth in this treatment was rarely superior to the control. The growth obtained for some species in the best treatment, generally the herbicide, was similar to that attained farther south in Ontario.

Philippine Grasslands: Liveweight Gains in Cattle and Buffaloes, with and Without Introduced Legumes

Grasslands in the Philippines have been reduced Philippines, and depend on both the rainfall of the region from 11% of the total land area to 6% over the past few and the introduced legume. In some areas gains of livedecades, mainly due to the conversion of these ecosystems stock on improved pastures were up to 3 times that on into cropland, including pasturage. Because the soils are native pastures. poor in nutrients, the introduction of legumes has been used for pasture improvement. The liveweight gains of

Establishment and Survival of Illinois Bundleflower Interseeded into an Established Kleingrass Pasture

The introduction of perennial legumes into warm-season grass pastures has been shown to improve both forage quality and animal performance. Illinois bundleflower (Desmanthus illinoensis (Michs.) MacM.) appears to have potential for pasture and range interseeding. This study investigated establishment methods and the competitive ability and longevity of this species when interseeded into kleingrass (Panicum coloratum L.) swards. Sabine Illinois bundleflower was drilled or broadcast into a mature kleingrass pasture either intact or suppressed by disking, paraquat (1-dimethyl-4-4 dipyridinium dichloride), or mefluidide (N-[2,4 dimethyl-5 (trifuromethyl) sulfonyl-amino-phenyl]acetamide). Seed was sown in broadcast plots at 6.8 kg PLS/ha compared to 3.4 kg PLS/ha in drilled plots. Establishment data were only collected for 1 year. The establishment year had a wetter than normal spring. Treatment effects on legume establishment could differ substantially from those found in this study in drier years. Both paraquat and disking treatments resulted in good establishment of the legume (greater than 10 seedlings m-2 in the establishment year). With the exception of disked plots, broadcasting at twice the rate of drilled plots resulted in similar seedling legume densities between the 2 seeding methods. Illinois bundleflower proved to be quite competitive under the conditions of this study. The legume component increased from 14% in the establishment year to 52% by the third year after establishment. Individual Illinois bundleflower plants survived for the 4 years of the study. Interseeding increased total plot yield in the second, third, and fourth years after establishment. Interseeded plots produced more biomass than noninterseeded plots 1, 2, and 3 years after interseeding.

Evaluation of the agronomic potential of pasture legume introductions on droughty outwash soils

Abstract Lucerne is no more productive than traditional clovers on drought-prone, low fertility soils with acid subsoils. Introductions of a variety of alternative legumes, and in particular Lotus corniculatus (birdsfoot trefoil), were compared on a high country yellow-brown earth soil developed on outwashed plains with acid subsoils. Lines and cultivars were scored for a variety of agronomic attributes, the most important in this environment being dry matter yields, autumn production, persistence, and drought tolerance. Principal component analysis was used to order the large amounts of data. Several cultivars and lines of L. corniculatus originating from Mediterranean/mild temperate, maritime Europe/cool temperate climates and South America were superior to other legume species and to other cultivars and lines of L. corniculatus. Individual plants which were consistently superior were selected to be cloned to produce an experimental “Dry land” cultivar.