Evaluation of endemic leguminous forage shrubs from the Canary Islands. 1 Germplasm characterisation and forage production

摘要

Abstract Four species of leguminous shrubs endemic to the Canary Islands (Spain)—Chamae‐cytisus palmensis (tagasaste), Teline canariensis, Teline osyrioides sericea and Teline osyrioides osyrioides—were evaluated from 1999 to 2000 as a source of animal forage. Two experiments were undertaken. Experiment 1 involved wild populations in the natural habitat on the island of Tenerife including germplasm collection and a study of their phenology. Experiment 2 involved the same species, this time in cultivation with a density of 5142 shrubs/ ha on an experimental plot (La Laguna, Tenerife) situated at 549 m a.s.l. and with annual rainfall of between 338 and 562 mm. Experiment 2 evaluated plant survival, edible green matter/inedible matter fraction (EGM/IM) and production of edible dry matter (EDM) at three cutting heights (30, 50, 70 cm above ground level). Samples were taken at the end of each season during 2 consecutive years. Production of Chamaecytisus palmensis was significantly higher (P < 0.05) at all thr...