Effect of seeding rates and barley harvesting on forage and seed production in some forage legumes

摘要

The benefits of including forage legumes in the farming systems of the Mediterranean region are well known, but more research is needed on the effect of management factors on forage and seed production. A field trial was carried out in 1992/93 and 1993/94 to study the effect of three seeding rates (40, 80, and 120 kg/ha) and three harvesting treatments, on forage and seed production and yield components in four forage legumes (Vicia sativa sel. 2541, V. ervilla, V. villoss subsp. dasycarpa, and Lathyrus sativus sel. 311). The species were sown in November in both years and harvested on the first in March. The regrowth was left for seed production. The second harvest was conducted at pod formation and the third at maturity. Average dry matter and seed yield were increased by increasing the seeding rates in both seasons. Lathyrus sativus was the lowest yielding species at early garvest, while V. sativa was the highest yielding at late harvest. Harvesting legume species early in March and leaving the regrowth for seed production caused a considerable reduction in seed yield.