AAC mountainview sainfoin (onobrychis viciifoila subsp. Viciifolia)

Abstract

AAC Mountainview sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifoila subsp. viciifolia) was developed by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Centre, Lethbridge, Alberta. This cultivar, tested as LRC 3902 in Western Forage Trials and in other trials, was derived from parental clones selected for improved persistence in mixed stands with alfalfa and regrowth after cutting. When grown under irrigated and rain-fed conditions of western Canada LRC 3902 out yielded Nova (check) by 22 to 42% in pure stands and 30 to 39% in mixed stands with alfalfa in some locations. This cultivar matures 7-10 d earlier than Nova and has slightly larger seed than Nova (20-24 g 1000 seeds- vs. 18-22 g). Although it can be grown for hay and pasture by itself, AAC Mountainview is well suited for preventing pasture bloat in mixed alfalfa stands without loss in animal productivity. Breeder seed for the cultivar will be produced by AAFC, and the multiplication and distribution rights were awarded to NorthStar Seeds through a competitive process.