Onobrychis Viciifolia Research Articles

UV-B irradiation effects on pigments and cytological behaviour of callus in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

PurposeThis study aims to determine the appropriate irradiation dose for induction of somaclonal variation in mass of unorganized parenchyma cells derived from sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) tissues.Design/methodology/approachTo investigate the feasibility of UV-B irradiation (312 nm), seeds and callus of sainfoin were exposed to five different intensities (20-100 per cent) for evaluating the effectiveness of phytochemical constituents and cellular behaviour.FindingsAlthough percentage of seed viability reduced in 20 per cent intensity of UV-B irradiation compared with control seeds, the germination speed significantly enhanced from 3.58 to 5.42. The spectrophotometer analysis confirmed that concentrations of chlorophyll (a and b) decreased after UV-B exposure as compared with control callus. Also, carotenoid content showed significant differences among treated calli. Flavonoid and phenolic contents were observed to gradually increase when the non-irradiated callus subjected to 40 and 60 per cent intensities of UV-B irradiation, respectively. Observation on cellular behaviour such as determination of nuclear and cell areas, mitotic index and chromosomal aberrations were also detected to change in different intensities of UV-B irradiation. Fragmented and aneuploidy aberrations were only observed in exposed cells with more than 40 per cent intensity of UV-B irradiation.Originality/valueIn reality, radiocytological evaluation was proven to be essential in deducing the effectiveness of UV-B irradiation to induce somaclonal variation in callus tissue of sainfoin.

Assessment of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) germplasm for agro‐morphological traits and nutritive value

AbstractSainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is a bloat‐free, perennial forage legume adapted to the northern temperate regions of the world. This study was carried out to evaluate phenotypic variation and nutritive value of 38 sainfoin accessions from 21 different countries. A field trial was established in 2014 using a randomized complete block design with four replications near Saskatoon, Canada, with data collected in 2015 and 2016. Analysis of variance revealed significant (p < 0.05) differences among sainfoin accessions for winter survival, dry‐matter (DM) yield, regrowth per seed yield plant, 1,000‐seed weight, plant height, growth rate, spring vigour, days to flower, stem number, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). Dry‐matter yield of sainfoin accessions ranged from 74 to 239 g/plant, plant height ranged from 37 to 70 cm, winter survival ranged from 20% to 94%, and seed yield ranged from 5 to 64 g/plant. Sainfoin accessions from North America produced the highest DM yield. Dry‐matter yield was positively correlated with plant height (r = 0.82), stem number (r = 0.75), growth rate (r = 0.72), spring vigour (r = 0.43), regrowth (r = 0.30), 1,000‐seed weight (r = 0.29), NDF (r = 0.71) and ADF (r = 0.74). Dry‐matter yield was negatively correlated with days to flower (r = −0.57) and CP concentration (r = −0.62). Sainfoin accessions were grouped into three main groups according to their agro‐morphological traits and nutritive value. Several promising sainfoin accessions have been identified to select for high forage yield and high winter survival in the cold climatic zone of temperate grassland.

Studies on Nodulating Capacity of Some Forage Legumes Grown Alone or in Mixtures

ABSTRACT: A pot experiment was conducted to study the nodulating capacity of some forage legumes. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were grown in pure culture (100%) and in mixtures with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in the ratios: birdsfoot trefoil + tall fescue (50:50%); sainfoin + tall fescue (50:50%); subterranean clover + tall fescue (50:50%); birdsfoot trefoil + subterranean clover + tall fescue (33:33:33%); sainfoin + subterranean clover + tall fescue (33:33:33%). Birdsfoot trefoil from the crops cultivated in pure stands showed the highest nodulation rating (31), followed by sainfoin (26) and subterranean clover (26). Nodulation rating in binary mixtures with grass component increased to 16.1% for birdsfoot trefoil and to 23.1% for subclover. Birdsfoot trefoil, both in pure stands and in mixtures, showed the highest phosphorus use efficiency for nodule formation.

Drought reduces floral resources for pollinators.

Climate change is predicted to result in increased occurrence and intensity of drought in many regions worldwide. By increasing plant physiological stress, drought is likely to affect the floral resources (flowers, nectar and pollen) that are available to pollinators. However, little is known about impacts of drought at the community level, nor whether plant community functional composition influences these impacts. To address these knowledge gaps, we investigated the impacts of drought on floral resources in calcareous grassland. Drought was simulated using rain shelters and the impacts were explored at multiple scales and on four different experimental plant communities varying in functional trait composition. First, we investigated the effects of drought on nectar production of three common wildflower species (Lathyrus pratensis, Onobrychis viciifolia and Prunella vulgaris). In the drought treatment, L.pratensis and P.vulgaris had a lower proportion of flowers containing nectar and O.viciifolia had fewer flowers per raceme. Second, we measured the effects of drought on the diversity and abundance of floral resources across plant communities. Drought reduced the abundance of floral units for all plant communities, irrespective of functional composition, and reduced floral species richness for two of the communities. Functional diversity did not confer greater resistance to drought in terms of maintaining floral resources, probably because the effects of drought were ubiquitous across component plant communities. The findings indicate that drought has a substantial impact on the availability of floral resources in calcareous grassland, which will have consequences for pollinator behaviour and populations.

Effects of seed size, seed pod removal and temperature on seed germination of Onobrychis viciifolia

Effects of seed size, seed pod removal and temperature on seed germination of<i> Onobrychis viciifolia</i>

Increased intake and preference for tannin-rich sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) pellets by both parasitized and non-parasitized lambs after a period of conditioning

Ruminants select nutritious feeds and avoid deleterious ones by relying on a learning process. We tested the hypothesis that they may similarly be able to select feeds for their medicinal properties, i.e. to self-medicate. Our experimental model was lambs infected with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), and the temperate legume sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) containing condensed tannins (CT). Parasitism by GIN is a major constraint of grazing livestock and interest is growing for bioactive forages with anthelminthic (AH) properties, as an alternative to chemotherapy. We predicted that parasitized lambs will express greater intake and preference for tannin-rich sainfoin than non-parasitized lambs, and that lambs will adjust sainfoin intake as a function of their parasitic status. We also tested the importance of a conditioning period in helping parasitized lambs to experience the beneficial effects of tannin-rich sainfoin. We used 40 ewe lambs and two types of sainfoin pellets with low (2.16%; T−) or moderate (4.06%; T+) CT contents. Lambs were split into two groups (n = 20), one being kept non-parasitized (NP) while the other was experimentally infected with 3000 larvae of the blood-sucking nematode Haemonchus contortus (parasitized, P). Preference tests (4-d long) between T+ and T- were performed before infection (Test 1), after parasite development (Test 2), after conditioning (21 day long period with only T+ offered, Test 3), and after change in parasitic status (Test 4). Lambs' health status was monitored via faecal egg counts and haematocrit. We did not observe a self-medication behaviour as P and NP lambs expressed similar T+ preferences in all tests (Group, P = 0.98; Group x Test, P = 0.92), and P lambs did not increase their T+ preference from Tests 1 to Test 2 (0.27 and 0.23 ± 0.036, respectively). Initially, lambs expressed an aversion towards T+, but they switched to a preference after conditioning (Test 3: 0.62 ± 0.036), which was maintained after chemical deworming (Test 4: 0.66 ± 0.059) (Test, P < 0.0001). Collectively, these results indicate that (1) the moderate CT content in T+ was sufficient to induce an initial sensorial aversion; (2) T+ induced a positive reward in all lambs, whatever their parasitic status, which outweighed its potential AH effects; and (3) the conditioning period was important as it gave animals the opportunity to overcome their initial reluctance to consume a CT-containing forage, facilitating the learning process and allowing memorization of the sensorial and post-ingestive characteristics of the feed. Even if animals may not use temperate fodder legumes with moderate CT contents autonomously in a curative way, the absence of a trade-off between positive (medicinal, nutritional) and negative (toxicity of CT) effects may favour their use prophylactically, once animals have learned about their post-ingestive consequences.

Establishment of Grass Strips for Maintaining Biodiversity in Agroecosystems

Main principle of the common agricultural policy of European Union is achievement of high results with the least possible negative impact on the environment, land protection and efficient use of natural resources. For that purpose, a number of studies are carried out, related to the improvement of biodiversity and protection of the pollinators in the areas of production. Two type of grass mixes were observed: “Laitamag” (Hungary) composed of White mustard (Sinapis alba L.), White clover (Trifolium repens L.), Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham), Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.), Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.), Red clover (Trifolium pretense L.), Wild oats (Avena sativa L.), Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench) and Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and a mix, proposed by the Agrarian University: White mustard (Sinapis alba L.), White clover (Trifolium repens L.), Phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham), Buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.). The vegetation of the autumn crops began in March, as the blossoming lasts for 60-63 days, from the beginning of April until 24 June. For the spring sowing (18 March), the flowering of the mixes occurred later, in the second 10-day period of May and ended at the end of June. As a result of the low temperatures during winter, the white mustard, buckwheat and sainfoin plants perished. White clover proves to be the most resilient species.

Are sainfoin or protein supplements alternatives to control small strongyle infection in horses?

The spread of anthelmintic resistance in equine strongyle nematodes has become a major problem, advocating for the development of alternative control for strongyles. Our study consisted of both in vivo and in vitro experiments. We investigate for the first time the efficacy of a short-term consumption of tannin-rich sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) or extra proteins in naturally infected horses. We used 30 horses allocated into three groups of 10 individuals that received for 18 days either (i) a tannin-rich diet with 70% DM sainfoin pellets (Sd), (ii) a protein-rich diet with 52% DM Italian rye-grass pellets and 18% DM grinded linseed expeller (Pd), or (iii) a control diet with 45% DM barley and 25% DM cereal-based pellets (Cd). The three diets were isoenergetic, covering 94% of animal energy requirements on average, and the Sd and Pd diets were isoproteic and provided extra proteins (227% of protein requirements v. 93% for the Cd diet). Pd and Cd were compared to test for benefits of receiving extra proteins, while Sd and Pd were compared to account for the effect of sainfoin secondary metabolites. There were no between-diet differences in faecal egg counts (FEC) or in worm burden evaluated from worm counts in faeces of drenched horses at the end of the experiment. However, coprocultures from the faeces collected in each group at the beginning and at the end of the experiment suggested a lower rate of strongyle larval development in the Sd group at the end of the experiment (Sd=8.1%, Pd=30.5%, Cd=22.6%). In vitro tests using sainfoin solutions evidenced the influence of sainfoin on strongyle larval development: adding 29% of sainfoin pellets to faeces reduced the strongyle egg development into infective larvae by 82% (P<0.001) and using solutions with sainfoin concentrations higher than 7.5 mg/ml reduced egg hatching by 37% (P<0.05). The short-term use of tannin-rich plants in horse diet could thus constitute a promising strategy to reduce the risk of infection by strongyles at pasture.

Molecular differentiation of 16SrIX-I phytoplasmas detected inOnobrychis viciifolia leaf yellowing in Iran from phytoplasmas in 16SrIX-J subgroup

Molecular differentiation of 16SrIX-I phytoplasmas detected in<i>Onobrychis viciifolia</i> leaf yellowing in Iran from phytoplasmas in 16SrIX-J subgroup

Phytochemical composition of temperate perennial legumes

A deeper understanding of the phytochemical composition of perennial legumes is important for animal nutrition as well as for the development of pharmaceuticals. The present study is an assessment of perennial legumes including clovers (Trifolium pratense L. and T. medium L.), medics (Medicago sativa L. and M. lupulina L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and milkvetches (Astragalus glycyphyllos L. and A. cicer L.) as potential sources of bioactive compounds. Whole aerial parts of plants at stem elongation and full-flowering stages as well as morphological parts of fully flowering plants (leaves, stems and flowers) were analysed for four isoflavones (biochanin A, daidzein, formononetin, and genistein), coumestrol, condensed tannins and triterpene saponins. According to total concentration of the four isoflavones in plants, the species were ranked as follows: T. medium (23.2–28.7 mg g–1 DM) &gt; T. pratense &gt; A. glycyphyllos = A. cicer = O. viciifolia = M. sativa = M. lupulina (0.054–0.212 mg g–1 DM). Young plants were 1.2–5.6-fold richer in isoflavones than fully flowering plants. Quantifiable concentrations of coumestrol and saponins were found in the Medicago species and tannins in O. viciifolia. In general, leaves contained the highest concentrations of the phytochemicals. These findings suggest considerable potential to improve legume-based forage quality through appropriate exploitation of species- or cultivar-specific phytochemicals and manipulation of the content of phytochemicals by management of production including growth stage at harvest and selection of plant species.

Patterns of flower visitor abundance and fruit set in a highly intensified cereal cropping system in a Mediterranean landscape

In intensive agricultural landscapes, decreased pollinator numbers have often been attributed to the loss of natural habitats. However, several studies show that certain mass flowering crops, such as oilseed rape (OSR), can alter the pattern of pollinator abundance at a field and landscape level. These studies have focused mainly on bees; information about the effect of OSR crops on other taxa is missing. We evaluated the abundance of bees and other (non-bee) flower visitors, and the fruit set of insect-pollinated target plants (Raphanus sativus and Onobrychis viciifolia) on the margins of OSR and cereal fields in landscapes with varying densities of non-cropped habitats (landscape structure). The presence of OSR crops and wildflower resources in field margins had varying effects on the abundance of bees and non-bee flower visitors. Bee abundance was enhanced by OSR crops, but decreased in complex landscapes. On the other hand, the abundance of non-bee flower visitors depended on the landscape structure, particularly on the location of cereal fields. Despite the numerous and diverse communities of pollinators attracted by OSR crops and wildflower resources, fruit set was enhanced only for generalist insect-pollinated plant species, because competition processes for pollinators affect specialist plant species. We conclude that the incorporation of OSR crops and maintenance of wildflower resources in agri-environmental schemes should be considered to improve the pollination services in agricultural landscapes highly dominated by cereal fields.

Young herbaceous legumes – a natural reserve of bioactive compounds and antioxidants for healthy food and supplements

Young plants of clover (Trifolium pratense L. and T. medium L.), medick (Medicago sativa L. and M. lupulina L.), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and milkvetch (Astragalus glycyphyllos L. and A. cicer L.), were investigated for total contents of phenolics, flavonoids, isoflavones, condensed tannins and triterpene saponins as well as their extracts for antiradical and ferrous ion chelating activity. The impact of two sample drying methods on the aforementioned characters was compared. The phytochemical concentrations were higher in the freeze-dried legumes; however, antioxidant activities were generally higher of oven-dried samples. Both the composition of health promoting phytochemicals and antioxidant properties were strongly species-dependent. Among the species tested, Trifolium spp. were most abundant in isoflavones, Medicago spp. – in saponins and O. viciifolia – in tannins. Plants of T. medium and O. viciifolia were rich in TPC. The extracts of T. pratense, O. viciifolia and A. cicer possessed significant antiradical activity; the extracts from Astragalus spp. proved to be promising chelators of ferrous ion. We concluded that young perennial legumes could be considered as potential candidates for the development of nutraceuticals and functional food ingredients to accommodate the need for a particular bioactive component or property.

Genetic diversity and relationship of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) germplasm as revealed by amplified fragment length polymorphism markers

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is a perennial forage legume widely distributed in the northern temperate regions of the world. Its genetic improvement has been relatively slow due, in part, to the lack of genetic information including molecular characterization of sainfoin germplasm. An attempt was made to evaluate genetic diversity and relationships among 38 sainfoin accessions collected from different regions of the world using amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers. Five AFLP primer pairs were used to assess 367 individual plants, which produced 1042 polymorphic AFLP bands. The frequencies of the scored bands in all assayed individuals ranged from 0.003 to 0.973, with a mean value of 0.165. The analysis of molecular variance revealed higher within-accession (84.3%) genetic variation than among accessions (15.7%). The genetic distance based on inter-accession distance matrices was significant for most accessions but was not significant for accessions sharing similar parents. A dendrogram of the collected accessions showed two clusters at an inter-accession genetic distance coefficient of 0.36. The revealed information on genetic distance and genetic diversity of the sainfoin accessions is useful for selecting genetically diverse germplasms for sainfoin genetic improvement efforts.

Evaluation of wild animals browsing preferences in forage resources

Excessive presence of wild ungulates can produce negative effects on herbaceous crops or woody species, and to face this problem, habitat improvements are often performed to recreate suitable environments for a given animal species and to attract animals far from cultivated crops. A common example of these interventions is represented by grassland restoration and to evaluate the real animal preferences on restored forage resources a proper trial was established in a hilly area of Tuscany (central Italy), inside the historical Park of Pratolino, near Florence. The trial compared six different forage species or mixtures sown in plots: vegetal material was represented by two pure stands (&lt;em&gt;Onobrychis viciifolia&lt;/em&gt; and &lt;em&gt;Medicago sativa&lt;/em&gt;) and four mixtures differing in number and kind of used species. Plots were utilised only by wild animals occurring in the area. Data collection consisted of botanical samples in each plot in different periods to obtain the percent presence of each species. At the same time, a visual estimation of animal intake on all occurring species was performed to obtain the browsing ratio of single species and overall defoliation rate for each species/mixture. Moreover, six camera traps were placed on the boundary of the experimental site to record videos of wild animals browsing in the area for identification of animals actually occurring on different plots and for comparison of these results with botanical data. Vegetation surveys permitted a proper evaluation of animals intake and of their feeding preferences. In general, sown species performed a major role in animal browsing, even if in some periods also a few native species (such as &lt;em&gt;Plantago lanceolata&lt;/em&gt; or &lt;em&gt;Cichorium intybus&lt;/em&gt;) were utilised in a strong way, depending on vegetation context and existing biomass. Camera traps results permitted the identification of browsing animal species (mainly represented by roe deer) and plots frequentation resulted to be highly related to animal intake found by botanical relevés.

Alien plant species (ephemerophytes) in Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District, Ukraine

Abstract This paper presents the results of research on ephemerophytes of the alien portion of the flora of the Romensko-Poltavsky Geobotanical District (north-eastern Ukraine). It is a detailed study of this group of plants, conducted for the first time in the Ukraine. The checklist of alien vascular plants contains 345 species, of which 27 species are ephemerophytes (or 8%): Adonis aestivalis, A. annua, Papaver albiflorum, Urtica cannabina, Gypsophila perfoliata, Atriplex micrantha, Chenopodium × preissmannii, Ch. × thellungii, Rumex longifolius, Sisymbrium polymorphum, Euphorbia humifusa, Malus sylvestris, Onobrychis viciifolia, Astrodaucus orientalis, Datura tatula, Solanum schultesii, Lindernia procumbens, Melampyrum cristatum, Helianthus annuus, Petasites spurius, Xanthium ripicola × Xanthium albinum, Echinochloa tzvelevii, Panicum capillare, Panicum capillare L. subsp. barvipulvinatum, Phalaris canariensis, Setaria ×ambigua, Sorghum halepense. The basis of this work is original data of the author obtained during field studies, and a critical study of the literature, archival, cartographic materials and herbarium collections, and the use of classical methods of botanical classification. Complex research of this group of plants was conducted and as a result of these investigations the following characteristics were established: a predominance of kenophytes of Mediterranean origin in this group, species of arid areas, cosmopolitan species with a diffuse type of space structure, therophytes, herbaceous monocarpic plants, mesotrophes, heliophytes and xeromesophytes, with an insignificant degree of impact on native plant communities and with a limited distribution within the study region. The combination of these results indicates that ephemerophytes comprise a temporary, unstable component of the flora of this region of the Ukraine. The paper provides maps of the distribution of these 27 species.

Performance of alfalfa–sainfoin mixed pastures and grazing steers in western Canada

A multi-year, multi-location grazing study with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) mixed pastures was undertaken to determine pasture productivity and quality. At Lethbridge, mixed pastures of 3 experimental sainfoin populations (LRC-3401, LRC-3432, and LRC-3519) and Nova sainfoin with AC Blue J alfalfa were established in a replicated experiment in 2008. A similar experiment with Beaver alfalfa was established in 2009 at Swift Current, Saskatchewan, Canada (SC). The experimental populations were developed to persist in mixtures with alfalfa under a multiple-cut system. Pastures were grazed by steers using a rotational grazing system at a stocking rate of 4.0 animal unit month ha/yr (8.6 steers/ha per season). Four-year mean DM yields of LRC-3432 (10,713 kg/ha) and LRC-3519 (10,530 kg/ha) mixed pastures were higher (P < 0.05) than Nova (9,668 kg/ha) pastures. Percentages of DM in LRC-3432 (28–30%) and LRC-3519 (30–43%) in the mixed pastures were higher (P < 0.05) than Nova (5–8%) after the first rotation of grazing in all years at Lethbridge and in 2010 at SC. In continuous stocking experiments with different alfalfa mixtures, the same 2 sainfoin lines produced higher (P < 0.05) DM forage yields than Nova at Lethbridge but not at SC. Average daily gains of steers varied between 0.7 and 1.2 kg/d at both Lethbridge and SC, but the differences among pastures were not significant. New sainfoin populations, LRC-3432 and LRC-3519, can be used in alfalfa pastures for high ADG and bloat prevention, because they produced high DM yields and proportions in the mixed pastures.

Promising options for improving performance and proanthocyanidins of the forage legume sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is an underutilized perennial forage legume with high potential as a forage source for ruminants in grassland based livestock production systems. The species is also particularly valued for its content of proanthocyanidins (PA; also known as condensed tannins), which have been shown to improve animal health by reducing bloat, and by diminishing gastro-intestinal parasites, can reduce nitrogen losses through excreted urine and may also have the potential to lower methane emissions. However, sainfoin cultivation is not widespread today, mainly due to the limited availability of high performing cultivars and agronomic constraints such as slow establishment, poor competitive ability and limited yield stability. In this paper, we give an overview on the importance and the potential of sainfoin and review recent findings regarding cultivation practices and the variability observed for agronomic and quality traits. A special focus is placed on the potential and implications for targeted improvement through breeding. Results show that stability of sainfoin yields can be significantly improved when grown in mixtures with appropriate companion species and it was shown that the choice of cultivar, management practices and drought could have an impact on PA content and composition. Various studies demonstrate large variability in agronomic performance, PA concentration and PA composition among and within sainfoin accessions, highlighting the big potential to improve this species by breeding. In addition, we highlight recent advances in breeding research such as high rates of self-fertilization in this generally allogamous species and the development of molecular genetic resources, which build the basis for novel breeding strategies and the targeted exploitation of sainfoin germplasm in the future.

Grass‐Legume Seed Mass Ratios and Nitrogen Rates Affect Forage Accumulation, Nutritive Value, and Profitability

Grass‐legume mixtures are considered viable alternatives to nitrogen (N)‐fertilized grass pastures, but there is a dearth of information on effects of seed mass ratios on productivity and economic returns. We evaluated the effects of grass‐legume seed mass ratios and N fertilizer rates on forage accumulation, nutritive value, and profitability. There were 15 treatments arranged in randomized complete blocks with four replicates. The treatments included four species (meadow bromegrass [Bromus biebersteinii Roem. &amp; Schult] and three legumes—alfalfa [Medicago sativa L.], sainfoin [Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.], and birdsfoot trefoil [Lotus corniculatus L.]), various seed mass ratios (100:0, 50:50, 70:30, 50:25:25, and 50:16.7:16.7:16.7), and three rates of N (0, 56, and 112 kg N ha−1) applied only to meadow bromegrass monocultures. The 2‐yr average annual forage accumulation of meadow bromegrass receiving 112 kg N ha−1 was 6.89 Mg ha−1 yr−1, which was similar to the 30% alfalfa + 70% meadow bromegrass, 30% birdsfoot trefoil + 70% meadow bromegrass, 25% alfalfa + 25% birdsfoot trefoil + 50% meadow bromegrass, and 50:16.7:16.7:16.7 mixture treatments. Mixtures had greater nutritive value than N‐fertilized meadow bromegrass. All treatments except 100% sainfoin and 50% sainfoin + 50% meadow bromegrass treatments were profitable. On the basis of forage accumulation, nutritive value, and profitability, the 30% alfalfa + 70% meadow bromegrass and 30% birdsfoot trefoil + 70% meadow bromegrass seed mass ratios are simple mixtures that may be viable alternatives to 100% alfalfa and N‐fertilized meadow bromegrass monocultures.

Contrasting Pollination Efficiency and Effectiveness among Flower Visitors of Malva Sylvestris, Borago Officinalis and Onobrychis Viciifolia

Biotic pollination is an important factor for ecosystem functioning and provides a substantial ecosystem service to human food security. Not all flower visitors are pollinators, however, and pollinators differ in their pollination performances. In this study, we determined the efficiencies of flower visitors to the plant species Malva sylvestris , Borago officinalis and Onobrychis viciifolia by analysing stigmatic pollen deposition. We further calculated pollinator effectiveness by scaling up single-visit pollen deposition using visitation frequency. Flower-visitor groups differed in their efficiencies at the single-visit level and not all of them deposited more pollen compared to unvisited stigmas. Bumblebees tended to be most efficient in depositing pollen per single visit across the three plant species. Due to the by far highest visitation frequencies, Apis mellifera showed the highest effectiveness in depositing pollen per hour for M. sylvestris and B. officinalis , but not for O. viciifolia , for which the Bombus lapidarius complex was both the most frequent and the most effective pollinator group. Hence, the most frequent flower visitors were most effective in our study. For non-dominant pollinator groups, however, visitation frequencies contributed disproportionally to pollinator effectiveness. Thus, combining pollen deposition per single-visit with visitation frequency is necessary to reveal true pollinator performance and to better understand flower-visitor interactions. PLEASE NOTE: Supplementary files to this article can be found in the left menu of this website.

Contrasting pollination efficiency and effectiveness among flower visitors of &lt;i&gt;Malva sylvestris, Borago officinalis&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Onobrychis viciifolia&lt;/i&gt;

Biotic pollination is an important factor for ecosystem functioning and provides a substantial ecosystem service to human food security. Not all flower visitors are pollinators, however, and pollinators differ in their pollination performances. In this study, we determined the efficiencies of flower visitors to the plant species Malva sylvestris, Borago officinalis and Onobrychis viciifolia by analysing stigmatic pollen deposition. We further calculated pollinator effectiveness by scaling up single-visit pollen deposition using visitation frequency. Flower-visitor groups differed in their efficiencies at the single-visit level and not all of them deposited more pollen compared to unvisited stigmas. Bumblebees tended to be most efficient in depositing pollen per single visit across the three plant species. Due to the by far highest visitation frequencies, Apis mellifera showed the highest effectiveness in depositing pollen per hour for M. sylvestris and B. officinalis, but not for O. viciifolia, for which the Bombus lapidarius complex was both the most frequent and the most effective pollinator group. Hence, the most frequent flower visitors were most effective in our study. For non-dominant pollinator groups, however, visitation frequencies contributed disproportionally to pollinator effectiveness. Thus, combining pollen deposition per single-visit with visitation frequency is necessary to reveal true pollinator performance and to better understand flower-visitor interactions.