Growth, competitive strength and herbage quality of herbs in multispecies leys

Summary

Herbs are established in many organic grasslands due to expected beneficially properties of nutritive value and biodiversity. However, knowledge about grassland herbs is limited. Three mixtures were therefore established at different grazing/cutting management and slurry application. The competitiveness of the species varied very much. Plantain (Plantago lanceolata) and lucerne (Medicargo sativa) competed best under cutting, opposite chicory (Cichorium intybus) that competed best under grazing. Caraway (Carum carvi), burnet (Poterium sanguisorba) and lotus (Lotus coniculatus) had a relative low competitiveness. Slurry application did not affect the proportion of non-leguminous herbs. The nutritive value differed very much. Caraway had the highest and plantain the lowest value, as judged by in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and content of NDF, ADF and ADL. Under cutting, the annual yields of the three mixtures were similar.

Available Versions of this Item

• Growth, competitive strength and herbage quality of herbs in multispecies leys. (deposited 26 Mar 2012 08:32) [Currently Displayed]
  • Species Diversity Effects on Productivity, Persistence and Quality of Multispecies Swards in a Four-Year Experiment. (deposited 14 Mar 2022 13:03)