Comparison of the ecological applicability and yield capacity of long-term legumes and their mixtures with timothy (Phleum pratense)

The suitability of three long-term legumes for permeable karstic and hilly soils, when grown alone and in mixtures with timothy (Phleum pratense), was studied in field trials at the Research Station of the Lithuanian University of Agriculture in 1997-1999. Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.), which is a relatively new crop to the region, and lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), which is not widely grown, were compared with traditional red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). The trials were carried out on a sandy moraine loam humic horizon of Calcary Epihypogleyic Luvisol, LVg - p - w - cc. Fodder galega was the most productive and persistent of the investigated long-term legumes. Productivity, feed value and soil cover were better for mixtures of galega and timothy with either lucerne or red clover than for pure legumes cropsVytauto Didžiojo universitetasŽemės ūkio akademij