In 2002, a field experiment with split-plot design was established in Juva in order to compare the use of nurse crop to establish perennial legume grass sward in organic farming

Nykänen, Arja

Nykänen-Kurki, Päivi

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Sisältö: Kuuluu sessioon Improved production of grass and protein feed in northern conditions.vo

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How to establish a perennial legume-grass sward?

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Nordic Association of Agricultural Scientists 22nd Congress, July 1-4 2003, Turku, Finland  How to establish a perennial legume-grass sward? Arja Nykänen1) and Päivi Nykänen-Kurki2) 1)MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Environmental Research, Juva, Finland 2)MTT Agrifood Research Finland, Environmental Research, Mikkeli, Finland Correspondence to: arja.nykanen[a]mtt.fi The use of perennial legumes in swards is a key-factor in organic farming. Legumes are becoming more common also in conventional swards, because of their good characteris-tics like high yield without nitrogen fertilization. In many studies, the intake of fodder and milk production has been higher with legume-containing fodder than grass-only fodder.   Red clover (Trifolium pratense) has been the most common legume in perennial swards in Finland. Alsike clover (Trifolium hybridum) has been used more often in organic soils and white clover (Trifolium repens) is becoming more popular in pastures. Lucerne (Medicago sativa), yellow-flowered Lucerne (Medicago falcata L.) and goat’s rue (Galega orientalis L.) are not yet common. They are recommended to get alternation with plant species in the field and fodder. The establishment of the sward is one of the most important farming practices. If that failures, it is difficult to get a well yielding sward. It is also important to get yield during the year of establishment.  In 2002, a field experiment with a split-plot design was established in Juva in order to compare the use of nurse crop to establish perennial legume grass sward in organic farm-ing. A legume (red clover, alsike clover, white clover, Lucerne, yellow-flowered Lucerne and goat’s rue) was used as a main plot. A nurse crop (threshed barley (grain harvest on 20 August), mixture of barley and pea (harvest as a whole-crop silage on 5 August) and no nurse crop) was used as a sub-plot. All legumes were sown in a mixture with tall fes-cue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Yield of establishment year, its legume content and legume establishment as a number of plants were determined. Overwintering will be ob-served in spring 2003.  The barley grain yield (15% moisture) averaged 1 300–1 600 kg ha-1 and the legume con-tent of barley straw 33, 45 and 5% in swards of clovers, Lucerne species and goat’s rue, respectively. Mean dry matter yield of legume grass mixtures without nurse crop varied between 2 000 and 4 000 kg ha-1 and their legume content averaged 50, 73 and 12%, respectively. The legume content averaged 5 % in whole crop silage of barley pea mix-ture, except 20 and 0.5% in yellow-flowered Lucerne and goat’s rue, respectively.   In autumn 2002, number of legume plants averaged 60, 75-80 and 40 plants m-2 in swards of clovers, Lucerne species and goat’s rue, respectively. In comparison with swards with nurse crops Lucerne and yellow-flowered Lucerne established the best without nurse crop (88 vs. 68 Lucerne plants m-2). Among other treatments threshed barley as a nurse crop favoured establishment of red clover (80 vs. 52 red clover plants m-2). Clovers and both Lucerne species established very well, but goat’s rue emerged slower and more poorly. Proc. of the NJF’s 22nd Congress ”Nordic Agriculture in Global Perspective”, July 1-4, 2003, Turku, Finland. Published 15.9.2003. Available at: www.njf.dk/njf/reports/njfreports.htm 

How to establish a perennial legume-grass sward?

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