Studies on nodulating capacity of some forage legumes grown alone or in mixtures

Abstract

A pot experiment was conducted to study the nodulating capacity of some forage legumes. Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) and subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) were grown in pure culture (100%) and in mixtures with tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in the ratios: birdsfoot trefoil + tall fescue (50:50%); sainfoin + tall fescue (50:50%); subterranean clover + tall fescue (50:50%); birdsfoot trefoil + subterranean clover + tall fescue (33:33:33%); sainfoin + subterranean clover + tall fescue (33:33:33%). Birdsfoot trefoil from the crops cultivated in pure stands showed the highest nodulation rating (31), followed by sainfoin (26) and subterranean clover (26). Nodulation rating in binary mixtures with grass component increased to 16.1% for birdsfoot trefoil and to 23.1% for subclover. Birdsfoot trefoil, both in pure stands and in mixtures, showed the highest phosphorus use efficiency for nodule formation.