ARS | Publication request: POTENTIAL OF TEMPERATE LEGUMES IN MIXTURE WITH SWITCHGRASS FOR THE SOUTHEAST.

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: August 31, 1999
Publication Date: N/A

Technical Abstract: Switchgrass has shown potential as pasture, or as stored feed in the Southeastern USA. Its use may be increased if its nitrogen requirements could be met when grown in mixture with temperate legumes. A 3-year study compared the compatibility of well established cave-in-rock switchgrass grown alone and in mixture with alfalfa (a grazing type and a hay type), ladino white clover, red clover and crimson clover. In the initial spring following fall seeding of legumes the respective mixture was 45%, 44%, 36%, 51% and 12% legumes. By the third spring the respective mixture was 100%, 100%, 100%, 68%, and 65% legumes. Perennial legumes were to aggressive to maintain a mixture with cave-in-rock switchgrass. Respective seasonal yields (kg ha-1)of the mixture averaged 15,089, 16,500, 12,086, 13,061 and 10,421 compared with the switchgrass control of 7,670 which received zero nitrogen.