Adaptation of annual forage legumes in the southern Great Plains Academic Article

abstract

• Our objective was to evaluate adaptation and compatibility of cool-season annual legumes overseeded into perennial grasses in the southern Great Plains. Freeze damage, vigor, and standing crop of 14 annual legume species were evaluated during spring at three locations in Oklahoma and Texas from 2006 to 2008. Across locations and years, standing crop of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth) and Austrian winter pea [Pisum sativum L. ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.] averaged 3,513 and 3,210 kg dry matter (DM) ha"1, respectively. Standing crop of crimson clover (Trifolium incarnation L.) and arrowleaf clover (T. vesiculosum Savi) averaged 1,138 and 1,071 kg DM ha-1, respectively. Although subject to freeze damage, annual medics produced more spring forage than annual clovers on soil with pH > 8.0. Most of the annual legumes survived winter, demonstrating their adaptability to pastures in the southern Great Plains, but hairy vetch and Austrian winter pea consistently provided the most spring forage.

authors

• Muir, James

published proceedings

• Great Plains Research

author list (cited authors)

• Guretzky, J. A., Butler, T. J., & Muir, J. P.

complete list of authors

• Guretzky, JA||Butler, TJ||Muir, JP

publication date

• March 2012

published in

• Great Plains Research  Journal

start page

• 35

end page

• 43

volume

• 22

issue

• 1