Seasonal dynamics of legume-grass herbage production and quality in a long-term pasture

摘要

The potential and variability of herbage output and quality under grazing were examined oy-r a 10-year period. Species mixtures of white clover and lucerne together with perennial ryegrass, smooth-stalked meadow grass and Festulolium hybrid were examined on a glevic loamy Cambisol. Within ten years, changes occurred in the botanical composition of pasture swards; however, in lucerne-based swards legumes predominated up to the eighth year Legumes, especially lucerne, stimulated dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) production During each grazing period, the CP content fluctuated from spring to autumn and the changes reflected differences in sward composition. Legumes had a positive effect on providing a more even annual DM and CP yield and its distribution over the grazing period.